Tara Subkoff Battles Charity Over Brain Tumor Bills

After fashion designer Tara Subkoff was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor last summer, friends of the uninsured 36-year-old held a fundraiser sponsored by the New York Foundation for the Arts to help pay for her surgery and rehabilitation. It raised approximately $175,000.

The intention of the benefit was stated in an email sent beforehand, as posted by The Cut:

While [the tumor is] benign, it will be fatal to her in approximately two years if not operated on. Recuperation from the necessary operation may take as long as a year. During this time it will not be possible for her to work. We are writing in the hope that all of you can help....All proceeds from the benefit would go towards covering the remainder of the costs of the operation, and possibly to the care that will be needed afterwards.

Page Six now reports that the New York Foundation for the Arts is reneging on their agreement to help with post-surgery living expenses, writing that Subkoff's good friend and Imitation of Christ co-found Chloe Sevigny said "I think that Tara's friends and supporters would be pretty upset to know that, despite their best efforts, she is still suffering."

NYFA issued this response through a spokesperson:

"We are willing and eager to cover medical expenses and post-op rehabilitation, as per our contract. We can't cover her personal expenses. If an offer to pay rent was made, it was a mistake. We've asked Tara's attorneys to send medical bills, but they've sent only two."

Read more HERE.

Get HuffPost Style on Twitter and Facebook!

Comments

[KnowsBetter2]

The Executive Director of the New York Foundation for the Arts made $240,000 in FY08 according to GuideStar.org! That's where the money is.

[Niasia]

Well the email message seems pretty clear to me. i think thry owe her this money. I must ask WTH didn't she have insurance. Before the diagnosis? As long as I can get insurance I will get it. We all walk around one step away from a health disaster. Don't ever think you are too young.

[duze]

I ws diagnosed with a brain tomor in 1999. After the initial shock of being told I had 3 weeks to live, I was told they would not know if the tumor was cancerous until they open my head. Well, they did, It took 11 hours to finally finish the surgery and inform my family that the tumor was benign. After the surgery, it took me 3 months before I could walk on my own. I totally existed on Dilantin and couldn't wear shoes on my feet. The constraint from wearing them made my headache. During my recovery time, my bills continued to multiply. When I tried to have them covered by insurance. I was turned down. They considered my tumor a preexisting condition. Since I had just had the surgery 4 months earlier and I was reapplying for medications required during my recovery, it was considered a pre-existing condition and turned down. I had no friends like Chloe and had to depend on my family and church. They raised $250,000, to pay medical bills and help with physical therapy. The entire community were God sends to me. I understand that there aren't many people who live of can depend on the kindness of strangers as I did, but this is just another reason why universal health care is crucial in this country. So many people are suffering needlessly. In the richest country in the world, this shouldn't be a question.

[WeCanDoMore]

Well put. Thanks for sharing your story.

[Nebris]

New York Foundation for the Arts shoots itself in the ass. News @ 11

[Epiphany2b]

If they raise $175,000 on the basis of that email, she certainly is entitled to the whole entire amount no matter what it's used for. More than that is needed?

[arkixuan]

i agree with you~~~

[Jannsmoor]

If Tara lived in Rwanda, that's right - Rwanda, they have universal health care there. The country is so poor they didn't have an insurance industry to stop them. Costa Rica has universal health care. Cuba has universal health care. Venezuela, that's right Chavez haters, Venezuela has universal health care.

Is it not a moral imperative that in the wealthiest nation that has ever existed, we demand universal health care for those among us whose lives can be saved? If you don't agree, just think of your country and the loss of productivity and intellectual power we let die with them.

[evekendall]

Great comments. Fanned.

[Nebris]

RE: Rwanda...The Teabggers would probably say that they can afford UHC because of their recent population downturn.

[MMJones]

And this is why we need Universal Health Care.

[Mickey7]

How is rent not part of her medically-related expenses when the fundraising promo specifically indicates that part of the reason for holding the event was to address her needs for the year she would not be able to work? If they have 501c3 status, report them to the IRS. They collected public funds for a specific purpose and are obligated to use them for the purpose advertised (should have been more careful with how they worded the fundraising materials if they planned to limit the reimbursement to medical bills only). They don't get to change the rules after the fact and pulling a 'bait and switch' like this is not only bad PR, it is against the law.

[parkey]

When you lose your health, you lose everything. So called friends run and hide when things get tough.

This person suggesting she sell her car.....??? Do you know how hard it is to try to sell a car in this economy ? and ....... How do you do that when you are sick and can hardly get around?

[easarsfield]

She lives in NYC. She probably doesn't even own a car!

[dmw03]

Thanks for this. Good ideas and resources at the website.

On the charity, they're despicable cretins. May they never get another donation. Whoever made this decision should be fired and never hold a trusted position again.

May she triumph over all adversities and adversaries. Her friends will see her through.

[dmw03]

A little early in the morning, this is meant for further down re: http://www.braintumorfoundation.org/

I also agree with you. It's often devastating to be ill. More people are without loyal friends, resources or funds to get through a traumatic time than those who do. And for others to suggest "deal with it" or "sell your car" is a cheap way for the callous person to make themselves feel better. Ignorant and mean is no way to go through life.

It's immoral that we do not at least provide the best universal healthcare for our country. It's obscene.

[BowlingForRevenge]

This happens a lot in the arts. They have no steady employers and rich or poor they are all very close. they've all walked in the others shoes.
My brother in law was in the fashion industry in Paris. A brain infection killed him .It started as a bad sinus infection that he was too busy to treat, in NYC but one Concord flight back to Paris andl it spread to his brain. Once diagnosed in Paris he could not fly back to the states. It had caused much irreversible brain damage by the time it was diagnosed properly. Only when he couldn't handle the pain and begin stumbling and walking into walls did he finally get medical help. He thought he could shake it like the flu.I remember they said he was in tremendous pain from the pressure.
He was an American in Paris who had worked for different designers and his friends paid for everything after his money ran out. The hospital bills, apt rent, food, meds were all covered. It was quite touching. They essentially formed a hospice type group and he was never alone. He passed at his Paris apt in his own bed. He also was 36.
People wanting their donations to be tax deductible...thus putting the 501 3c in the middle ...is where they went wrong. Give to give not for a write off.

Robin Williams became financially responsible for Christopher Reeve after his accident.

[NYCannibal]

This story coincides Brain Tumor Awareness Day this Sunday, November 15 here in New York (details at http://www.braintumorfoundation.org). Pre-register and get a scan. Remember folks, a cancerous tumor just took out the Lion of the Senate, and his medical plan was primo.

[NewDem08]

Thank you for this link. I am a brain tumor survivor (twice) and was not aware of this.

[dmw03]

I thank you. The website is interesting and helpful. Good ideas and resources.

May you have the best of luck and happiness. Cheers!

[johnnygoodwud]

right on 'rob'

[ubatuba]

how was it that someone who hangs out with Chloe Sevigny unable to afford health insurance? why was she uninsured? irresponsi­ble...but, regardless...good luck to her.

[ChiGuy]

how was it that someone who hangs out with Chloe Sevigny unable to afford health insurance?
__________­__________­__________­__________­________

It's one of those cases of a "pre-existing condition".

[kkrimmer]

She's 36, how long has she had this pre-existing condition?

I think it's a case of assumed invulnerability.

In the same vein, the HHS says 70% of Americans age 65 and older will need long term care but only 9% have insurance that covers it. Denial is pretty strong (guidetolo­ngtermcare­.com)

[Rob Horton]

(sarcasm alert)

That's the price she pays for living in the greatest country in the world. If she lived in one of the lesser countries that treat healthcare as an entitlement and provide for their citizens, she wouldn't be in this mess.

[alarmbell]

Sarcasm not necessary. What you said is so completely true.