Bob Ham said it yesterday in his rundown of Portland’s Funniest Person, and it’s true—Portland’s comedy community is a uniquely lovable group of total weirdos. So I wasn’t particularly surprised when Andie Main emailed me this week to share the news that Portland’s reigning queen of divorce jokes, Veronica Heath, is currently in the hospital—well, okay, THAT was a surprise. What wasn’t was that Main and so many other familiar comedy fixtures have pooled their resources to support Heath’s recovery from complications related to rheumatoid arthritis—and the logistical burden of what comes AFTER her hospital stay—by contributing to a Gofundme page (fortunately, unlike Nathan Brannon’s AMAZING anti-Confederate flag fundraiser, the site didn’t take Heath’s page down), and mulling over plans for a benefit show. Kristine Levine even wrote this update on Heath’s page, “VERONICA Heath is STILL in the HOSPITAL“:

Meanwhile back at the Unicorn Sanctuary from the Top of Pill Hill, the continuing saga of a horse with a horn who’s a little forlorn…

Veronica can’t stop thanking us, those of us who’ve spent our nights fussing over her, those who’ve donated their hard earned money, those who share kind words, send email and root for her, she’s just in awe of the love and support.

This is the only section I’m quoting, because Levine goes into some detail about the unpleasantness of being in the hospital, but it’s a very charming call for support. Heath herself is also documenting her hospital stay in wryly silly tweets.

I have nothing snarky or clever to say about any of this. Get better, Veronica! I miss your divorce jokes!