*this was sent to me by a Sacramento burner - Skid has been a tight
part of this South Bay Community for many years and anything anyone
can do to help, no matter how small, please consider - his kidney's
are failing and he needs dialysis three times a week.

In our year-round nature of giving, please consider this on your list.

********

To all Burners,

I am writting this request, for fellow burner, my friend, Mike
Aquino, aka 'Skid'. Many of you know Skid very well, for those of you
who don't, let me introduce you.

Skid formed K-SVERT 106.5 FM in 1997 with his childhood friend, Tom
Sherry (PlayaMonkey). A humble one watt of radio broadcast,
entertained Black Rock City, and was coined the "One watt
Flamethrower". Skid pioneered Burningman radio, and in 1998 was
responsible, for assigning broadcast frequencies to other camps, who
wanted to followed his lead, and desired to start their own radio
station. To this day, to broadcast @ BRC, you must receive your
frequency assignment from Skid.

In 2002, He co-founded Burning Silicone, the south bay's own region.
(name changed to South Bay Burners in 2008). Skid served as the first
Co-Regional, with Sandra McBride (Gidget), until both retired in 2006.
His leadership and guidance, enable his region to grow into the major
contributor to the Burningman project, that it is today. Meanwhile,
K-SVERT grew into the largest & most powerful radio station on the
playa. Building our landmark tower in 2002, and adding our performance
& shadow stages in 2003. Since 2003, K-SVERT been a presence on the
Esplanade, with a 60' high flashing beacon, guiding the masses home
during whiteouts. Skid is the Mayor of K-SVERT, and serves on our
Board of Directors.

Skid's had his hand in helping others with their projects. He
designed the mini-golf course for 'Lawngames' in 2002 & 2003. In 2001
he designed & built 'Betelguise the Flaming Art Car' . Skid was a
major contributor to Burning Silicone's collaborative project the
"Pagoda of Infinite Reflection" in 2004. When in 2005 we were placed
next door to Deathguild's Thunderdome, Skid proposed we build our own
version, only smaller, and with rabbits. Thumperdome was born.

In June of this year, Skid's life took a turn. He was admitted to the
hospital with anemia and kidney failure. (Skid has had type 2 diabetes
for the past ten years). His condition was dire, he received blood
transfusions, and suffered a very bad seizure. For 72 hours, it was
BAD. We thought we might lose him. His short term memory was gone.
Those of us who visited him, were forgotten once we left the room
(this scared me the most). It took weeks for him to be strong enough
to leave the hospital. He will endure receiving dialysis 3 times a
week, for 3 hours at a time, for the rest of his life. Or until he
receives a kidney transplant. He is currently on a transplant waiting
list.

He was determined to attend the burn, whatever it would take. He was
there for two days. We shuttled him to Reno, Saturday morning for
dialysis, and got him back before the burn. He was very thin & weak,
but he was so glad to be home, even if only for two days.

Once back in the default world, Skid had two stints placed into his
heart in October (in preparation for the future transplant). Things
were starting to falling into place, then, Skid lost his job. Along
with his job, Skid lost his health care. He has sent out hundreds of
resumes, but received only one interview. Until he can secure another
job, (hopefully with health coverage that will cover his pre-existing
condition), he continues to receive the care he urgently needs through
COBRA. His COBRA payments are over $400 per month.

To help Skid make these payments, a fundraiser, "Mikeapalooza" has
been scheduled for December 29, 2008 @ Britannia Arms, Almaden, San
Jose. Skid's close friends, PlayaMonkey & SassyJill, (Tom & Jillian)
have set up a "Mike Aquino COBRA" fund (The MAC Fund) to collect other
donations, For PayPal: Send money to; Mikeapalooza@gmail.com as
Services/Other. To send a check, made out to, Tom Sherry to : Tom Sherry
2446 Stokes St.
San Jose, CA 95128
Fund Raiser link:
www.evite.com:80/pages/inv...&src=email

On a personal level, Mike has always been there for me, my brother
from a different mother. Come out & help us celebrate & help Mike
continue on his road to recovery. Mike has devoted much of his time to
helping others (and Burningman), now it's time for us to be there for him.

Thank You,

Sacramento Dave
K-SVERT 106.5 FM
sacdave@hughes.net