‘Grey’s Anatomy’ writer Elisabeth Finch, who faked cancer, solicits donations

Former Grey’s Anatomy writer Elisabeth Finch, who faked a cancer struggle, is being called out for asking her social media followers to donate to the Los Angeles wildfires by sending money to her directly.

That didn’t sit right with writer and actress Jamie Denbo, who’s appeared on TV shows such as GLOW and The Sex Lives of College Girls. She reposted Finch’s “This is just me. Boots on the ground,” solicitation that Finch allegedly wrote to her followers. “It was challenging enough getting dog food while evacuated and I was at a safe place. So this is for people who have virtually nothing and have pets with basic needs.”

Denbo then cautioned those following her own account not to trust Finch.

“This person is a SCAMMER and a LIAR,” she wrote. “It is well documented in the Peacock series Anatomy of Lies. Unless you want to send her donations of 69 cents for her ‘cancer treatment’ (she doesn’t have cancer) or perhaps ‘in memory of her late brother’ (he’s alive) or any thing else she has lied about (everything). DO NOT DONATE to Elisabeth Finch!!!”

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EW has reached out to representatives for Finch but did not receive an immediate response.

Finch told The Hollywood Reporter that she had only good intentions in posting about the wildfires that have devastated thousands.

“I recognize, given my history, people might be skeptical of my fundraising efforts,” she told the outlet. “I’m trying to make amends in as many ways I can, including helping my community — especially during these difficult times. So many organizations are calling for gift cards because they are overwhelmed with physical donations, and I didn’t want peoples’ pet needs to get lost in the shuffle.”

Finch pretended to have cancer for years when she worked on the medical drama, even going as far as shaving her head and taking breaks at work allegedly so she could go throw up, because of the chemotherapy treatment. She worked on the ABC medical drama beginning in 2015. In March 2022, she was put on administrative leave, as show owner Disney looked into her claims, which included other medical and non-medical issues. In December 2022, she admitted that she hadn’t had cancer.

When the Peacock documentary Anatomy of Lies debuted in October, she issued a public apology.

“The truth is, there is no excuse, no justification — nothing will ever make my lies to anyone okay,” she wrote. “Nothing erases the trauma I caused — the fear, the pain, the anger, the tears, the time. And nothing matters more to me than holding myself accountable in every way. I will continue to repair whatever damage I can and ensure I am not the worst things I’ve done. I recognize all of this will take time for people to believe. I will work and wait as long as it takes.”