#HeltonStrong

Friends and family of Marinda Helton-Ellis are organizing this fundraising appeal to help raise vital funds for her medical expenses. Marinda lives in Indianapolis, IN with her husband Stephen She has two daughters who are currently in school at IUPUI and Ball State University. 2021 has brought Marinda very bad news starting with an updated diagnosis of stage 4 renal cell carcinoma. She was already scheduled for chemotherapy when she sustained severe injuries from a car collision on Saturday, January 15th. She sustained multiple fractures to her neck, sternum and spine and is currently being treated in ICU at the IU Methodist Trauma Center. With COVID-19 restrictions, it is very hard on the family to support Marinda but she is a fighter and relies on her Christian faith in times of trial. The family knew with her worsening prognosis from the cancer and the start of the chemotherapy that 2021 would indeed be challenging. With Marinda's past therapies, we have held off on taking this step but with the added burden of the injuries sustained in the accident, we have decided that the time has come to reach out. She will be needing additional procedures, care and ambulatory support and then there is the chemotherapy. All funds raised will go towards helping Marinda to continue her fight, explore all options available to her and relieve the family of some of the care burden and financial costs. The family says that messages of hope and sharing Marinda's value of her life and sharing the love people have for her is very important now. The severity of her injuries and the isolation created by COVID-19 conditions has been devastating to a very sweet, non-complaining, strong Christian Mother. She’s at her lowest now and the family appreciates all contributions and, especially, messages of love and hope for Marinda.