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John Kirby, owner of "The John Kirby Studio" in Hollywood, is an acting coach diagnosed with ALS on July 7th 2023, after a year of symptoms. Two concurrent e-fundraisers exists.
John Kirby is the son of actor Bruce Kirby, who passed away at age 95 in 2021. He is also the younger brother of actor Bruno Kirby, who passed away in 2006, "less than three weeks after being given a leukemia diagnosis". He has had 50 hours of experience as an acting coach and is known as the "Actors Guardian Angel". The John Kirby Studio is located in Hollywood.
According to a 2021 fundraiser for the Los Angeles Leukemia Society, of which he contributed a 1- hour private class, he is "Hailed by the Hollywood Reporter as “an actor’s guardian angel” Kirby has trained, worked with, coached, taught, and directed thousands upon thousands of actors; from Oscar winners like Jeff Bridges, to a long list of movie stars, including Cameron Diaz, Shawn Mendes, Morris Chestnut, Jim Caviezel, and Chrissy Metz, to Tony winners such as Judith Light."
A health crisis was alluded to in the redemption parameter; related to his recovery from a June 2018 accident in which he "was hit by a vehicle in a grocery store parking lot. The elderly driver panicked and proceeded to run him over with the front and back tires. John incurred multiple bone fractures & suffered many medical complications while being hospitalized for the past five weeks."
There are currently two online fundraisers:
Actor Jim Caviezel announced on his Instagram page today his choice and support of an ALS specific e-fundraising vehicle and charity: Hark "changing the way views ALS" A donate by mail option is available. *
"Jim Caviezel's beloved Acting Coach/Teacher JOHN KIRBY needs our immediate HELP as he battles ALS! This is a URGENT call-to-action to give your tax-deductible donation with the option of giving monthly to help aid John financially as he humbly requests your prayers for a miracle!
ALL of the proceeds from your generous donations for John Kirby through the HARK-ALS non-profit will be sent directly to Mr. Kirby to cover his astronomical health care expenses and provide instant relief!
John is in the middle of a crisis, reaching a pivotal point in his ALS journey where he is facing some very difficult decisions for his current and future long-term care. Your monetary gifts are essential to John's survival as he continues to take on this unexpected and expensive disease."
NATHAN & PAOLO -The Jim Caviezel for John Kirby-ALS Battle Costs Fundraiser Team
*HARK is an active ALS charity organization that was founded by Donna Dourney York in memory of her father, Charles W. Dourney, a lifelong athlete, coach, and father of seven, who courageously battled ALS until his death in November 2009, and who was affectionately known as “Hark” by his wife Ann.
An August 22nd, 2023 Go-Fund-Me was organized also by Nathan Nesbitt: An Actors Guardian Angel; Calling All ALS Angels! It should be noted Go-Fund-Me requires a percentage of donations. They have received $82k of a $250k goal.
"Many factors make ALS [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] an incredibly expensive disease and journey, both for the individual diagnosed and the family members around them. The average cost of living with ALS is $150-$250K annually. Navigating through insurance systems can be a bureaucratic nightmare!
The most costly expense is 24/7 live-in Caregiver support which John requires. The average cost for a paid Caregiver is $2,100-$3,500 per week. (NOT covered by Insurance)"
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