Help for Chelsea O’Neil

Chelsea is a first grade teacher at St Francis Catholic School in Billings MT. She has touched the lives of many students and now is in need of our help. The first thing we are requesting is prayer. Chelsea is a believer in the power of prayer. We completely understand if you are not in the position to give. Please pray! When you think of Chelsea, pray. Chelsea tested positive for COVID-19. On the evening of Sept 23, Chelsea noted a drop in her oxygen level. She went to the ER. Shortly after arriving, a tube was inserted into her airway (intubated) & she was put on a machine to breath (mechanical ventilator). Throughout the day on Sept 24, her condition deteriorated. The decision was made to put her on a heart/lung bypass machine (ECMO). This means that blood will be sent from her body to the machine, the machine will put oxygen in it, and return the blood to her body so it can use the oxygen. This will give her lungs time to rest an heal. She will be flown to University of Colorado outside of Denver for further treatment and recovery. This will be a long haul for the O’Neil family mentally, emotionally, and financially. Chelsea has given so much of herself to the students, staff, and parents of our school. She loves our school and goes above and beyond. We love her as much as she loves Jacksonville and KU!! Let’s help them any way we can.