How the US Medical System Failed this Pokemon Voice Actor

Highlights

Rachael Lillis, a renowned voice actress, tragically lost her battle with cancer at 55.
American medical system failures compounded her struggle, leading to her untimely passing.
Despite the heartbreaking outcome, the overwhelming support from fans helped bring comfort.

As I read through this heart-wrenching tale of Formachael (Rachael) and her final days, I can’t help but feel a profound sense of admiration for her spirit and the love that surrounded her. Rachael, who gave life to characters like Misty in Pokemon, was not just a voice actress; she was an embodiment of joy, compassion, and resilience.

On August 10, 2024, Rachael Lillis, a renowned voice actor, passed away at the age of 55 following her struggle with cancer. Her fans have found it hard to come to terms with this loss, and many have paid tribute to her on social media, sharing memories of her most celebrated work. As fans continue to grieve, it is important to remember that Rachael was battling two challenges: cancer and the American healthcare system. In a sense, she lost her fight against both, making her story all the more heartbreaking and infuriating. These were the last days in the life of this distinguished voice actress for Pokémon.

Who was Rachael Lillis?

How the US Medical System Failed this Pokemon Voice Actor

Born on July 8, 1969, in Niagara Falls, New York, Rachael Lillis gained fame as an accomplished American voice actress, particularly recognized for her work in anime productions. Prior to her successful career, she pursued premedical studies at Smith College. After honing her voice acting skills in Boston, she relocated to New York City in 1996, where she showcased her talent in theater performances, animated series, and independent films. In the later stages of her life, Rachael also ventured into scriptwriting and translation for various projects.

What Were Some of Her Notable Roles?

Rachael Lillis has made a name for herself in the world of animation, becoming widely recognized for numerous significant roles. Among these memorable characters are:

Pokémon: Rachael’s most famous work would be in Pokemon, where she voiced Ash’s traveling companion Misty, Team Rocket member Jessie, as well as various Pokemon like Jigglypuff, Goldeen, and Poliwag (she also voiced Pikachu in early episodes when the Japanese audio track couldn’t be saved).
My Little Pony: Rachael would voice the younger versions of Applejack and Granny Smith in flashbacks of My Little Pony.
Slayers: Rachael would voice Hilda in the various Slayers anime productions.

The Start of Her Nightmare

In May 2024, Rachael’s sister Laurie Orr initiated a GoFundMe campaign, disclosing that Rachael had been diagnosed with breast cancer previously and required financial assistance for necessary medical care. Establishing such a fundraiser is often a delicate matter, but it was also a struggle for Misty and Jessie to deal with their own emotional turmoil as they faced the harsh realities of battling against insurance companies – a hardship many Americans must endure daily.

For many Americans, their insurance plan determines which doctors they can access, who receives priority care, and the range of treatments options available to them. Unfortunately, Rachael found herself in a similar predicament, as she was unlucky enough to be ill without the appropriate type of health insurance coverage.

The One Flew Over the Cokuu’s Nest Hospital

Despite the common consensus that hospitals aren’t typically enjoyable, some can instill such dread in people, even those who don’t believe in God, due to their dilapidated conditions. This was the experience of Rachel, who unfortunately ended up in one such hospital. As her sister noted:

Incidentally, the nursing home reminded us strongly of the setting in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”! Despite the dedicated efforts of the nurses to provide care for far too many residents, my sister and I found it extremely distressing. The constant shouting from down the hallway, the noise coming from shared rooms…it seemed impossible for anyone to find peace or recover in such a chaotic atmosphere.

It’s shocking to find out that the voice actress behind many beloved childhood moments may have experienced such hardships. This raises questions about how she ended up in that situation initially and what efforts were made to help her escape it.

Insurance, Insurance, Insurance…

Eventually, Rachael found herself admitted to a facility referred to as the ‘Cuckoo’s Nest Hospital’, following an arrangement by her insurance that assigned her care to a particular physician. During her hospitalization, due to her limited mobility, she was transferred to a nursing home instead of receiving proper in-hospital care. Unfortunately, this placement failed to meet its purpose, and the substandard living conditions may have exacerbated the situation. Additionally, her doctor unexpectedly terminated her treatment without providing a reason.

Currently, Rachel found herself in a challenging predicament, uncertain about how to handle this distressing illness and with her loved ones being miles away (though she did have a friend visit who she had met during her career in anime). It wasn’t until afterwards that family came to be by her side, looking into potential arrangements. The primary objective of these arrangements was to transfer her into a more conducive environment for her health, where she would receive proper medical care, necessary medications, and nutritious food to aid in recovery (the conditions at the previous facility were so poor that they contemplated filing a lawsuit for medical negligence). The dilemma, however, was how they would manage the costs of all this. Unlike what many people think, voice actors are not typically wealthy. They operate much like freelancers, moving from one job to the next in a highly competitive industry.

Despite the insurance not providing any assistance, Rachel, being a voice actress, had something that most Americans didn’t: a dedicated fanbase. It was this realization that prompted Laurie Orr to initiate a GoFundMe campaign on Mother’s Day. As this was her first experience with such an endeavor, she found the process quite challenging. Once the campaign went live, it quickly gained attention. Among the early supporters were Eric Stuart and Veronica Taylor, popular voices from the Pokemon series, along with news outlets like Anime News Network and Comic Book Resources who also publicized the initiative.

The GoFundMe Campaign

Quickly, the fundraising campaign amassed more than $67,000. The money was earmarked not just for enhancing Rachael’s healthcare but also for her rehabilitation to help recover muscle she had lost at the nursing facility as a result of neglect. Regrettably, her health took an unexpected downturn soon after leaving the facility, and she passed away. Her sister wasn’t with her during this time, causing immense sorrow throughout the family. They decided that the collected funds would be utilized for a memorial (with any remaining money donated to cancer research).

Fans Bring Joy in the Final Days

Through the unfortunate turn of events, it’s worth noting that fans of Pokemon, who fondly remember Rachael’s exceptional work, rallied to support her. Their collective donations exceeded $100,000, ensuring she received the necessary care. The overwhelming response surpassed all expectations. Although Rachael refrained from making any public statements, she confided in her sister Laurie that she felt like George Bailey in the timeless film “It’s A Wonderful Life.” In this beloved classic by Frank Capra, a man experiences a glimpse of what life would be without him and is ultimately rescued by his community during a difficult time.

In this tale, I can’t emphasize enough the compassion displayed by fellow fans. Though Rachael’s journey ended prematurely, her impact resonated profoundly with countless others who showed their support when she needed it most. They rallied around her in her time of need, proving that her influence was far-reaching and meaningful.

2024-08-16 20:04