Serious Rachel Lillis, voice of Misty, Jessie, Jigglypuff, is battling cancer

[boo836]

Hello everyone, Rachael Lillis, the voice actress for several beloved characters in the Pokemon anime such as Misty and Jessie, is currently battling breast cancer, which has since spread to her spine. As a result of her condition, Rachael is reportedly living in a nursing home and is struggling to walk.

Smogon is not just a Pokemon forum, it's a community and media enterprise whose users have substantial reach (looking at you, Showdown YouTubers). While my hope for this thread is primarily to bring the community together in support of Rachael and encourage donations to her GoFundMe, I would also like to encourage others to reflect on the role Rachael has had in the lives of our users, particularly PokeBoomers like me.

As is surprising to literally no one I was bullied a lot as a kid and turned to stuff like Pokemon to connect more with my peers. I would watch Pokemon almost every day at my daycare as a small child. I still have my old VHS tapes somewhere in my parents' house. As I am sure my sister could attest to, even early 2000s media didn't have great representation for young girls in action-focused animation and Misty provided a much-needed positive example compared to a lot of characters for her. Jigglypuff is also her favourite Pokemon, with the marker gag being utterly hysterical to her 5-year old self.

There is also going to be a Pokemon card event on June 2nd in New York City to raise money for Rachael. If you live in the area, please consider showing your support.

As per the most recent update, May 24th:

Hello everyone! Once again our sincere thanks for all your kindness, your thoughts, & your messages that have been completely heartfelt!
Was intending to finish up this page, and discontinue the fund efforts since so many have already been so generous.
But I plan to leave this GFM page up until June. (Someone reached out and informed me that there will be a Pokeman card event in NYC on June 2. Proceeds raised will be for Rachael, so for that reason (for ease of donations sent) I will continue to have this up.
Thank you for your wonderful comments through this app, and your emails! It truly lifts Rachael’s spirits!
God bless- Laurie

A link to Rachael's GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-my-sister-rachael-with-medical-needs

 

[UselessLumpOfCrap]

hope she gets better.

 

[Triple777 Vinny]

rest in peace Rachael. of course i never got to meet her personally, but being a part of pokémon meant that she was a huge part of my life, as well as the lives of many. its saddening to see someone so talented die at the young age of 46.

 

[awyp]

RIP, fuck cancer

fly high queen <3

 

[Faux Focalors Furina]

Ngl I may have never seen the old anime when it was my first time watching the Pokemon anime (gen 5 was when I started). But I remembered always watching old youtube videos of pokemon anime episodes and I always loved how Misty is holding her togepi cuddly and snuggly and her voice I don't know why but sounded so sassy I loved it! Such a shame that the voice actor died in what's now considered a young age, may she rest in piece and fly high above us

 

[adjectivenoun]

This is terrible. 46 is far, far too young. May she rest easy.

 

[Surgo]

This has absolutely wrecked me. Her, Veronica Taylor, Eric Stuart, and (outside of Pokemon) Tiffany Grant *were* anime for me growing up. Even though I've never known the actual person, this feels like losing a big sister. I'm devastated.

I've started a new morning tradition of watching an episode a day before I go to work.