Following the untimely passing of one of the most beloved video game and animated voice actresses out there, Rachael Lillis' GoFundMe was able to raise over $100K for the late star.
Lillis is most notably known for her role in the Pokémon franchise since 1999, where she voiced iconic characters, including the likes of Misty, Jigglypuff, and Team Rocket's very own Jessie. Here's the gut-wrenching story of their fundraising journey since her cancer diagnosis in May 2024.
Pokemon Star's GoFundMe Raised $100K in Voice Actress' Name
On Saturday evening, August 10, 2024, Rachael Lillis' Pokémon co-star Veronica Taylor (voiced the main character Ash Ketchum in the English dub) announced Lillis' death on social media "with a heavy heart."
The 55-year-old voice actress was reported to have been battling breast cancer since she was first diagnosed in May.
Rachael Lillis' sister, Laurie Orr, took to their GoFundMe platform that their family would require financial and medical assistance.
The platform had first been opened on May 16, 2024, and Laurie had since then been updating Rachael's progress ever since her hospitalization.
Laurie's latest post on August 12, 2024, is of her sister's passing on August 10, 2024, seeking support and expressing gratitude to fans who have reached out to their family and contributed to their fundraising.
On May 25th, Laurie planned on discontinuing the fund efforts "since so many have already been so generous" but decided to leave their page up at least until June, considering that a New York Pokémon card event is happening on June 2.
On June 1, Laurie continued to keep the GoFundMe platform open since "[Rachael]'s medical needs are apparent and ongoing care is necessary."
However, things began to plummet on Laurie's latest post on August 11, when she typed: "Please keep Rachael in your prayers" as the actress was described as having a "tough time with pain and is struggling" before the announcement of her sister's death.
They had a target of raising $100K to pay for "any medical bills remaining, a memorial service for her", while the rest of the donated money would go to other causes in her name, "specifically towards efforts to combat cancer."
As of writing, the GoFundMe the Pokémon star has been named after has earned a total amount of $100,661 USD.
Rachael Lillis' voice acting career began in the 1990s and has since then lent her talent to hundreds of anime, TV shows, and video games including Your Lie in April, Sonic X, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures and Lego Jurassic World.
She is noted to be the second of the original Pokémon cast to pass away, with Maddie Blaustein (Meowth) passing in 2008.
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