Running 4 Jake's Medical Fund
Donation protected
On September 26, a small group of friends will be running a 1/2 marathon in Holland, MI to raise money for Jake McCusker's Medical Fund. Here is where you can sponsor those who are braving the miles for a friend they care about.
Whether you know a runner, Jake himself, or you are someone who is just touched by his story, we are all blessed by your generosity of giving and appreciate it, no matter the amount.
Jake's story:
Hi, I am Jake McCusker, 19 years old, from Hayward, Wisconsin. Thankfully I am writing this for the reasons of having caring friends and the hope and appreciation for those that are willing to give. Without the help and suggestion of my good friend Meghan Leuschner, I would not have known about creating a gofundme account. Following my High School graduation, I luckily found Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan--a good fit for me. I am currently enrolled full-time (2014-2018) and pursuing a degree in Environmental Science- Biology to eventually become a Fisheries Biologist. I hope to return as a sophomore this fall(2015).
January 2015 interim break, I was invited to go with the Calvin College Ski and Snowboard club to Holiday valley Ski Area in New York. As I am an avid cross-country skier and have not done any downhill before, I thought it would be interesting to try snowboarding. My friend was able to lend me a snowboard so I wouldn’t have to rent one. I was able to pick up the snowboarding technique quickly from my experience being on snow, but it was too quickly for my own good. I felt more comfortable than I should have been at this point going down some hills with the rest of the group. After a few runs in the afternoon, I was attempting a few entry-level parts of the terrain park.
A couple runs down the terrain park later I found myself overshooting the landing area on one jump, and falling backwards onto my left arm. The humerus bone, between the elbow and shoulder, was completely broken in half.
After a trip to the emergency room at a hospital in Pennsylvania, I was put in a splint and a sling, and given all kinds of medicine. They claimed I would be fine and not need surgery. After a week of being stuck in a chair with a swollen arm that did not seem to be any better, my friends sent me to the hospital in Grand Rapids. They found two other fractures of the collar bone and shoulder blade and the x-rays also showed the humerus was totally dislocated, not at all aligned for healing, and definitely needed surgery. I ended up having surgery with the placement of a titanium rod and screws to hold the two halves of the bone together.
A look at the financial side of the situation showed a $9,000+ bill from the Pennsylvania hospital who did not perform the correct treatment on my arm plus a $13,000+ bill from the Michigan hospital who did actually help me. Piled on top of that is my remaining college debt and the usual living expenses. Luckily I am able to live with my Mom during the summers who always does what she can to help my sister and me. The three of us have lived together since I was born.
We have made it this far with having little and most times no child support, and unable to afford sufficient insurance for all three of us. We have had some difficult times, but my Mom has never given up in doing her best to get us in a decent place and advise us on the real world. My mom has always worked fulltime, and then some, to support us.
Unfortunately a month ago she was diagnosed with lymes disease. She cannot afford insurance for herself so she has been trying to pay for appointments and antibiotics out of pocket. And with the only insurance we are able to afford, I am left to pay for the large major of the bills out of pocket as well.
This year hit my family hard. We all have student debt to pay and the start to my second semester at college was difficult because of the broken arm.
My family, nor I, ever care to complain about things or ask for help from other people. Your generosity goes a long way and it means a lot for me to say that. This may not seem like a very severe circumstance compared to what others may be going through, but I immensely appreciate any support to help me continue college.
Whether you know a runner, Jake himself, or you are someone who is just touched by his story, we are all blessed by your generosity of giving and appreciate it, no matter the amount.Jake's story:
Hi, I am Jake McCusker, 19 years old, from Hayward, Wisconsin. Thankfully I am writing this for the reasons of having caring friends and the hope and appreciation for those that are willing to give. Without the help and suggestion of my good friend Meghan Leuschner, I would not have known about creating a gofundme account. Following my High School graduation, I luckily found Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan--a good fit for me. I am currently enrolled full-time (2014-2018) and pursuing a degree in Environmental Science- Biology to eventually become a Fisheries Biologist. I hope to return as a sophomore this fall(2015).
January 2015 interim break, I was invited to go with the Calvin College Ski and Snowboard club to Holiday valley Ski Area in New York. As I am an avid cross-country skier and have not done any downhill before, I thought it would be interesting to try snowboarding. My friend was able to lend me a snowboard so I wouldn’t have to rent one. I was able to pick up the snowboarding technique quickly from my experience being on snow, but it was too quickly for my own good. I felt more comfortable than I should have been at this point going down some hills with the rest of the group. After a few runs in the afternoon, I was attempting a few entry-level parts of the terrain park.
A couple runs down the terrain park later I found myself overshooting the landing area on one jump, and falling backwards onto my left arm. The humerus bone, between the elbow and shoulder, was completely broken in half.
After a trip to the emergency room at a hospital in Pennsylvania, I was put in a splint and a sling, and given all kinds of medicine. They claimed I would be fine and not need surgery. After a week of being stuck in a chair with a swollen arm that did not seem to be any better, my friends sent me to the hospital in Grand Rapids. They found two other fractures of the collar bone and shoulder blade and the x-rays also showed the humerus was totally dislocated, not at all aligned for healing, and definitely needed surgery. I ended up having surgery with the placement of a titanium rod and screws to hold the two halves of the bone together.
A look at the financial side of the situation showed a $9,000+ bill from the Pennsylvania hospital who did not perform the correct treatment on my arm plus a $13,000+ bill from the Michigan hospital who did actually help me. Piled on top of that is my remaining college debt and the usual living expenses. Luckily I am able to live with my Mom during the summers who always does what she can to help my sister and me. The three of us have lived together since I was born.
We have made it this far with having little and most times no child support, and unable to afford sufficient insurance for all three of us. We have had some difficult times, but my Mom has never given up in doing her best to get us in a decent place and advise us on the real world. My mom has always worked fulltime, and then some, to support us.
Unfortunately a month ago she was diagnosed with lymes disease. She cannot afford insurance for herself so she has been trying to pay for appointments and antibiotics out of pocket. And with the only insurance we are able to afford, I am left to pay for the large major of the bills out of pocket as well.
This year hit my family hard. We all have student debt to pay and the start to my second semester at college was difficult because of the broken arm.
My family, nor I, ever care to complain about things or ask for help from other people. Your generosity goes a long way and it means a lot for me to say that. This may not seem like a very severe circumstance compared to what others may be going through, but I immensely appreciate any support to help me continue college.
Organizer and beneficiary
Meghan Leuschner
Organizer
Holland, MI
Jake McCusker
Beneficiary