Signal Boost: B5 Pin Artist Seeks Help

[johno]

http://file770.com/?p=2490

Jumpgate pin by Elana Kestrel

“If you or anyone you know would be interested in Babylon 5 ‘jumpgate’ pins,” writes faned Linda Bushyager, “A friend of mine, Elana Kestrel, has Stage 4 cancer and is selling these high quality pins to raise funds. She really can use the money.”

When Babylon 5 was in first run Kestrel used B5 fans’ ASCII “jumpgate” symbol to create a great collector’s item. The show’s creator, J. Michael Straczynski, praised the pin design:

JMS liked my handiwork, saying in email on October 29, 1995 that, “…it’s quite nice. By all means, good luck, looks terrific.” It is great to know that this Pin had passed THE most difficult quality test possible within the B5 fan world.

Now the artist needs financial help to keep fighting cancer:

In June 2007, your pin artist was diagnosed with breast cancer. I was treated in Portland, Oregon just before I moved to Southern Nevada. Now, two years later, the cancer is back and has spread to the liver. I am at Stage 4. There is no Stage 5. The tumor is showing signs of being under control, and with your help, it can stay that way…

Times are tough. I am having trouble affording proper food, medicine, basic living expenses and get the car’s brakes fixed so that I can safely go to chemotherapy.

I have decided to turn to the B5 community for help. My goal: sell out the rest of my pin inventory before Christmas so that I can have funds to just heal without worrying about covering the basics of life, even for just a few months.

You can see the pins online and order them today via email at Kestrel’s website — http://www.jumpgatepins.com/index.html. An online shopping cart is coming.

[Thanks to Linda Bushyager for the story.]

JohnO: I still have my original set. I've even worn my tie-tack version on job interviews.

Comments

[luna-torquill.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much, John. I just happen to be dating one of the biggest B5 fans of all time, who is very difficult to select Christmas gifts for... :D

Email sent. I hope this will be a nice gift for both sides.

[lisa-marli.livejournal.com]

I have one of her pins as well. She is a lovely lady who has designed a lovely pin.
Going to the website to see if I can help some more.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

I still wear my Junior Jumpgate pin from time to time. Maybe Santa needs to buy herself a Starry. (Thanks for the signal boost on this story - I had no idea one could still buy the jumpgate pins.)