I’m a theater artist, rather well-known in Maine as the Marden’s Lady and stand-up comedian Birdie Googins. I am also a produced playwright and lyricist; my husband, Jerry, was a composer.

As artists working at our profession, we never quite managed to get our heads above water enough to finance health insurance. When Jerry became sick in January 2013, with no idea where to turn, we walked into the free India Street Public Health Center and were met with open arms.

The amazing staff and volunteer physicians jumped to take us under their wings and were there for us every step of the way through Jerry’s brief battle with cancer. He died in May 2013.

I’m writing on behalf of the India Street free clinic. We are Maine strong, a vital community of people in an extraordinary city. We need to keep the doors of the India Street free clinic open, their healing powers spread far and wide. And there are hundreds of us who hold them dear in deep gratitude for their endless help and kindness.

Karmo Sanders

Scarborough