The great Pippi Strongblocking of the Shotgun Sheilas is well on her way to defeating breast cancer. The fight has gone well. We’ve spent so much time over the last several months getting nothing but good news — followed by no news, which is the same thing — that it would be easy to assume at this point that the fight is over. Unfortunately, it isn’t.

As of press time, we’re told that Pippi still has several rounds of post-op chemotherapy left to finish, and as physically taxing as that is, the financial burden is even scarier, in many ways. The Kansas City roller derby community has done an outstanding job of coming together and supporting Pippi during this incredibly trying time, and now, KC Derby Digest is asking for your help in finishing this fight for good and all.

Effective this morning, and throughout the month of October, we are renewing our declaration of war against breast cancer by asking for your donations to help Pippi face down the enormous expense involved with her treatment and eventual recovery. We’ve set up a fundraising campaign through GoFundMe, and we’re hoping to raise $2,000 in the next 30 days or so.

Click to see the GoFundMe donation page for Pippi’s Pack.

So don’t be shy. Anything and everything helps. You can attach your name to your donation, or you can donate anonymously. GoFundMe doesn’t have us under a deadline, so if you choose, you can donate a little now and a little later. You’ve certainly got options. The sooner we reach our goal, though, the sooner we can provide a bit of relief for someone who has made such an amazing difference in our lives and given so much to the roller derby community in Kansas City.

Breast cancer should’ve known better. You don’t mess with Kansas City roller derby and skate away unscathed, and that goes double for someone like Pippi Strongblocking. By the time this fight is over, breast cancer will be scared of us, not the other way around.

So thank you. Thank you for your generosity and for the good that you do. You really have no idea the difference you can make in someone’s life. If Pippi hasn’t taught us anything else, she’s certainly taught us that.