My name is Samantha, and along with my brother, Alex, I am writing this for my mother, Cindy Gillespie. She is the woman who has always been the steady one, the caregiver, the strength behind our family. Right now, she is fighting for her life.
On December 30, 2025, what started as a sudden medical emergency became a nightmare none of us were prepared for. In a matter of days, my mom was rushed into two emergency surgeries for cecal volvulus, followed by devastating complications from an anastomotic leak. Her body was overwhelmed, leading to septic shock, respiratory failure, and multi-system organ failure. Watching someone you love endure this is something no family is ever ready for.
Cindy is currently in the ICU, battling sepsis, and every single day is uncertain. Her body has been through more than most people experience in a lifetime. She is now also suffering from severe malnutrition, leaving her weak and exhausted as she tries to heal. There are moments when progress feels painfully slow, and moments when hope is all we have to hold onto.
Doctors have been honest with us: as she continues to fight through this, her recovery will be long and incredibly difficult. She will be unable to work for at least six months while she undergoes intense rehabilitation to relearn strength, rebuild her body, and regain basic function. This journey will test her in ways no one should have to endure.
As terrifying as the medical reality is, the financial weight of this crisis is crushing. With my mom unable to work, we are facing overwhelming ICU, hospital, and surgical bills, long-term specialized rehabilitation and ongoing medical care, everyday living expenses while she is completely unable to work, and essential nutritional support and medical equipment needed for survival.
My mother, who has been a nurse for over 26 years, has spent her life showing up for others by loving fiercely, giving without hesitation, and never asking for help. Now, we are asking on her behalf.
We are humbly asking for your support to help Cindy focus on the most important thing right now: staying alive and healing, without the constant fear of how the bills will be paid. Any donation, no matter how small, can help ease this burden. If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this page or keeping her in your prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read my mother’s story, for your kindness, and for standing with our family during the most heartbreaking and uncertain time of our lives.
With all our gratitude,
Samantha Robert and Alex Algermissen