Be a Part of MacKay’s Heroes, Help Him Walk Again


On the evening of May 19, 2019, Chris MacKay, being the fun loving big kid himself was playing with a neighborhood kid when a  FREAK ACCIDENT occurred. Chris was teaching the kid how to do as tuck and roll (somersault) on his front lawn when he broke his neck.  He immediately couldn’t feel anything from the neck down. His girlfriend Ashley Davis called an ambulance and he was taken to Saint Elizabeth Medical Center. 

Chris said, “I remember riding in the ambulance so scared thinking I was going to die. I was calling out to Ashley thinking  I was never going to see her again.” 

Ashley was riding in the front, trying to assure him that she was there, but he couldn’t hear her.  They arrived at St. Elizabeth where the Emergency Room team suspected a fractured vertebrae.  Knowing time was of the essence, they worked quickly to coordinate a helicopter transport to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.  UC is the regions only level 1 trauma center equipped to care for his level of injury. 

Upon arrival to UC, Chris learned he had a fractured vertebrae at the C5 level of his neck. He was rushed into surgery where his spinal cord was decompressed and the fracture repaired with a cage and screws. After 8 grueling hours of surgery, the neurosurgeon Dr. Rani Nasser was able to tell Ashley and the many family members that his spinal cord was intact and without giving false hope, felt optimistic. Immediately waking from surgery, Chris could feel tingling and some movement in his arms, though not his hands, fingers or lower extremity.  However, there’s every reason to believe Chris will make a full recovery. Though the road will be long, tough and not without obstacles, Chris is determined to be the fighter, the warrior, the man and the hero he needs to be for not only himself, friends and loved ones, but also his wife.

Chris married the woman of his dreams, the love of his life, his soul mate Ashley Davis on May 21, 2019 in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center. In the face of such tragedy, Chris has found hope and love. 

Chris and Ashley’s story

Their story began in the operating room where Chris is a 26 year old Surgical nurse and Ashely is a Surgical first assistant. He was immediately smitten. It didn’t take Ashley long to fall for the funny, big hearted man, whose alter ego is an Avenger with the superpower to make everyone’s day brighter with a little laughter. A week before the accident, Chris and Ashley headed to Universal Studios in Florida. Chris was so excited to visit Harry Potter’s Hogwarts and of course experience the adventures of Marvels characters at Universal. Especially Captain America, since that’s his favorite. Before they left, they picked out an engagement ring for Ashley. Chris planned to propose to her in July on vacation to North Carolina. After the accident, they realized how precious time is and decided not to wait. The nurses at UC were so kind for elegantly decorating the room to make the ceremony as lovely and intimate as possible   Chris and Ashley were surrounded by a small group of family and friends when they exchanged their vows to begin this journey together. 

This is where things get real and you can help

~ Chris’ recovery can take several months or longer. 
~ Ashley is off work without pay to care for Chris 
~ THEIR NEED IMMEDIATE AND CRITICAL!

Our goal is to raise 100,000.00 to help Chris and Ashley 

Any generous gift will be used as follows. 

~ Medical expenses not covered by           insurance. 
~ Rehabilitation costs not covered by insurance.
~ Home care costs upon leaving rehabilitation facility 
~ Special needs alterations due to current disability (ramp, wheelchair etc...)
~ Living expenses/ loss of income

Thank you for reading Chris’ story. We appreciate any help or contribution, no matter how bi or small or as an Avenger would say;  If you would like to assemble as one of MacKays Heroes, every contribution how great or small, is one Infinity Stone closer to winning this war. 

Please share our campaign link on social media and with your friends. We will keep you posted on the use of funds, and his progress. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly. #mackaystrong