Ana Sisnett

Friend in need, friend in deed

By Kate X Messer, Fri., March 10, 2006

Photo By Todd V. Wolfson

Ana Sisnett has always been there for us. All of us. The celebrated author, visual artist, and community activist/volunteer is also the executive director of Austin Free-Net (www.austinfree.net) – the nonprofit that promotes and attempts to provide public Internet access for everyone. Sisnett and Free-Net have appeared numerous times in our annual "Best of Austin" issue, as cover girl in 2003 and for Free-Net's hurricane relief work in 2005.

As the Katrina/Rita drama played out at the end of this long, hot summer, and Austin emerged at a major player in the relief efforts, Free-Net was front and center at the convention center evacuee shelter and proved to be a critical component in the glue that connected people and services and restored lives. Ironically, as breaking news revealed that the U.S. Senate voted to extend the unemployment benefits to evacuees, we were made aware of this sad news:

Ana Sisnett has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer and was hospitalized this past weekend. Obviously, the toll of cancer extends beyond the physical. Her friends at Austin Free-Net have set up a fund to help Sisnett navigate the choppy waters of health care. For the many communities Sisnett has touched, we hope the love comes back many fold.

To donate, send checks payable to:

Ana Sisnett

c/o Austin Free-Net

PMB 226 PO Box 2013

Austin, 78768-2013

If you have any questions or wish to help in other ways, call Dale Thompson at Austin Free-Net, 236-8225.