Ann and Joe Wills medical equipment
Donation protected
Ann and Joe Wills' Accident
On February 17th of 2015
Ann and Joe Wills were returning from a short trip to a hardware store. As they were driving down the highway an inattentive teenage driver pulled out of a driveway striking the side of their vehicle. In an instant, their lives were changed forever.
They sustained almost identical injuries. Both had broken ribs and sternum, both had broken vertebrae. The only difference was that Joe’s spinal cord was severed permanently paralyzing him from the upper waist down. Ann will probably never run again and, barring a miracle, Joe will complete his life in a wheelchair.
Any excess proceeds from this fundraiser and the August 5, 2015 Baton Rouge Race will go toward purchasing adaptive equipment to help Ann and Joe continue to be a part of our community.
Ann and Joe
Ann has been a part of the Baton Rouge, LA area running community since 1976. She has raced at distances as short as a mile and as long as a marathon and 50K trail run. Her favorite distances are the half marathon or shorter. One of her more notable races was her first place finish in the 1995 Great River Road Run mile.
Joe became a part of the Baton Rouge, LA area running community in 1982. Since that time he has run and won races in distances from a mile to 134 miles. He has completed over 100 marathons and over 50 ultra-marathons. A couple of his more notable races was his 2:48 first place finish in a marathon in 1986 and his 5:46 win in a 50-miler in 1988.
Joe and Ann met at a race at Baton Rouge Beach. Their initial dates were training runs. They married on February 14, 1992. Since that time they have worked together, trained together and generally been inseparable.
Both Joe and Ann have been an inspiration to everyone they know! This accident has not gotten the better of them. Their faith in GOD and love for each other has touched us all.
Any contribution will go to them to help them purchase the equipment they need to help them continue to be a part our our running community. Please help this gift come true.
Joe at home in his new wheelchair
Ann in the hospital after the accident
Ann and Joe running with the dogs in 2013 (prior to the accident)
On February 17th of 2015
Ann and Joe Wills were returning from a short trip to a hardware store. As they were driving down the highway an inattentive teenage driver pulled out of a driveway striking the side of their vehicle. In an instant, their lives were changed forever.
They sustained almost identical injuries. Both had broken ribs and sternum, both had broken vertebrae. The only difference was that Joe’s spinal cord was severed permanently paralyzing him from the upper waist down. Ann will probably never run again and, barring a miracle, Joe will complete his life in a wheelchair.
Any excess proceeds from this fundraiser and the August 5, 2015 Baton Rouge Race will go toward purchasing adaptive equipment to help Ann and Joe continue to be a part of our community.
Ann and Joe
Ann has been a part of the Baton Rouge, LA area running community since 1976. She has raced at distances as short as a mile and as long as a marathon and 50K trail run. Her favorite distances are the half marathon or shorter. One of her more notable races was her first place finish in the 1995 Great River Road Run mile.
Joe became a part of the Baton Rouge, LA area running community in 1982. Since that time he has run and won races in distances from a mile to 134 miles. He has completed over 100 marathons and over 50 ultra-marathons. A couple of his more notable races was his 2:48 first place finish in a marathon in 1986 and his 5:46 win in a 50-miler in 1988.
Joe and Ann met at a race at Baton Rouge Beach. Their initial dates were training runs. They married on February 14, 1992. Since that time they have worked together, trained together and generally been inseparable.
Both Joe and Ann have been an inspiration to everyone they know! This accident has not gotten the better of them. Their faith in GOD and love for each other has touched us all.
Any contribution will go to them to help them purchase the equipment they need to help them continue to be a part our our running community. Please help this gift come true.
Joe at home in his new wheelchair
Ann in the hospital after the accidentAnn and Joe running with the dogs in 2013 (prior to the accident)Organizer and beneficiary
Susan Landry
Organizer
Baton Rouge, LA
Elizabeth Ann Wills
Beneficiary
