Erika Lee's Medical Relief Fund
Donation protected
Columbia River Fire and Rescue and the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office have joined forces in initiating a special relief fund to support the family of one of their volunteer members. The name of the fund is "Erika Lee's Medical Relief Fund" which will help the family in their medical expenses following a very severe vehicular crash that nearly claimed the life of Erika Lee, 19, the daughter of Michelle and Aaron Lee of Warren.
According to Fire Chief Jay Tappan, their firefighters responded to a very serious two-vehicle crash on South Bachelor Flat Road in Warren on the afternoon of November 16th. Upon arrival the rescue crew found a small passenger vehicle that had been hit on the passenger side of the car in a “T-bone” style crash. Upon extrication of the badly injured front-seat passenger, the firefighters discovered that the victim was the daughter of one of their own volunteer firefighters, Michelle Lee. It was immediately apparent that the injuries to Michelle’s daughter Erika were life-threatening and the crew moved rapidly to transport Erika to the trauma center at Emanuel Hospital. After stabilizing Erika at the hospital, the extent of her injuries became known. She sustained significant multi-system injuries that included a shattered pelvis, broken ribs, and badly damaged internal organs. Due to the extent of the injuries she also needed several units of blood. In short, Erika nearly died that afternoon. In the ensuing days following the crash, Erika needed several emergency surgeries to start the process of recovery. She has since had two more surgeries to stabilize her spine and repair the damage to her pelvis. The initial prognosis is that Erika will be largely immobilized for three months and may need up to two years to fully recover. She is however expected to make a full recovery.
Erika’s parents, Aaron and Michelle Lee both also volunteer for the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. In conferring with Sheriff Dickerson, he and Chief Tappan agreed that helping the family during this time of great personal and financial stress as they face the daunting medical costs associated with Erika’s recovery would become a priority project for both organizations. Both Sheriff Dickerson and Chief Tappan strongly emphasize that they are absolutely committed to supporting their valued volunteers.
Chief Tappan and Sheriff Dickerson are asking that donations be made to this very worthy cause and hope that at this time of the year just before the Holiday Season people will help the Lee family in their time of great need.
Direct donations can also be dropped-off at either the CRFR Administration Office at 270 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens or at the CCSO offices at 901 Port Avenue in St. Helens.
According to Fire Chief Jay Tappan, their firefighters responded to a very serious two-vehicle crash on South Bachelor Flat Road in Warren on the afternoon of November 16th. Upon arrival the rescue crew found a small passenger vehicle that had been hit on the passenger side of the car in a “T-bone” style crash. Upon extrication of the badly injured front-seat passenger, the firefighters discovered that the victim was the daughter of one of their own volunteer firefighters, Michelle Lee. It was immediately apparent that the injuries to Michelle’s daughter Erika were life-threatening and the crew moved rapidly to transport Erika to the trauma center at Emanuel Hospital. After stabilizing Erika at the hospital, the extent of her injuries became known. She sustained significant multi-system injuries that included a shattered pelvis, broken ribs, and badly damaged internal organs. Due to the extent of the injuries she also needed several units of blood. In short, Erika nearly died that afternoon. In the ensuing days following the crash, Erika needed several emergency surgeries to start the process of recovery. She has since had two more surgeries to stabilize her spine and repair the damage to her pelvis. The initial prognosis is that Erika will be largely immobilized for three months and may need up to two years to fully recover. She is however expected to make a full recovery.
Erika’s parents, Aaron and Michelle Lee both also volunteer for the Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team. In conferring with Sheriff Dickerson, he and Chief Tappan agreed that helping the family during this time of great personal and financial stress as they face the daunting medical costs associated with Erika’s recovery would become a priority project for both organizations. Both Sheriff Dickerson and Chief Tappan strongly emphasize that they are absolutely committed to supporting their valued volunteers.
Chief Tappan and Sheriff Dickerson are asking that donations be made to this very worthy cause and hope that at this time of the year just before the Holiday Season people will help the Lee family in their time of great need.
Direct donations can also be dropped-off at either the CRFR Administration Office at 270 Columbia Boulevard in St. Helens or at the CCSO offices at 901 Port Avenue in St. Helens.
Organizer
Jennifer Motherway
Organizer
Saint Helens, OR
