Easy Rider actress 'crowd-funds' her cancer treatment

Karen Black, who starred in classic films including 'Five Easy Pieces' and 'Easy Rider', launched a crowd-funding campaign online to pay for her cancer treatment earlier this month.

The fund, which appeared on the website Gofundme.com, has already surpassed its target of $22,000, hitting almost $29,000 so far.

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Her husband Stephen Eckelberry started the initiative, which is intended to send her on a two-month treatment session in Europe.

Black, 73, was diagnosed with ampullary cancer in 2010, and after surgery to remove a tumour and radio and chemotherapy, she was cleared in 2011.

But last summer, the cancer returned to her lungs and lower back. Eckelberry revealed she had gone from weighing 156 pounds down to just 96 pounds.

“So here is the big question; why would someone like Karen need money?” he writes.

“Yes, she was an actress in movies, but most of the high-paying work dwindled out many years ago. She has a modest pension and medical insurance (thank goodness), but as anyone knows who has fought cancer, that is not enough.

“In the last two years we have used up all of our savings keeping Karen alive – traveling – treatments, getting people to help her. We have nothing left. And the European treatment is not covered by insurance.

“Your contribution will cover travel, living and treatment expenses for two months and will give Karen a chance. Please help anyway you can, we humbly accept it.”

After the fund reached its target, in under two weeks, Eckelberry wrote yesterday: “Karen and are touched beyond belief. It's so great to know she can make this trip. I promise to keep everybody updated.”

As well as 'Easy Rider' and 'Five Easy Pieces', for which she was nominated for an Oscar, Black starred in films including 'The Great Gatsby' with Robert Redford and Mia Farrow, Robert Altman's 'Nashville' and Alfred Hitchcock's final film 'Family Plot'.