Help Bonnie Get a Life-Saving Patch

Nearly three years ago, our friend Bonnie Gagnon suffered what seemed like a minor bump on the head. But it quickly turned into a medical mystery, then catastrophe struck.

Long story short, when Bonnie’s car hatchback dropped on her head, she suffered a very debilitating, and hard-to-find cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak, and concussion. Like many Americans suffering through our medical and insurance systems, Bonnie struggled to discover her injuries, and potential cures. The good news is that she’s made progress. The bad news is she’s essentially out of funds.

Thanks to hundreds of friends like you, we have raised nearly $95,000 through this page to cover Bonnie’s medical costs and the most basic living expenses. She sold her beloved racing bicycle, training equipment and most of her belongings to secure enough dollars to cover more medical costs, but that money is long gone.

Our goal is to raise additional funds to give Bonnie resources and breathing room to support her into 2024. Specifically, now that she knows about her CSF leak injury, she’s trying to get the “perfect patches.” Meaning, spinal blood patches, that will seal her wound, and enable her to resume the active healthy life she enjoyed up until that fateful injury.

This will not be an easy task. Doctors have made 17 patch attempts, none have been successful yet. CSF leaks are also notoriously difficult to fix. Bonnie communicated with one fellow who took 99 patches before success (gulp!) but with #99, he’s back on his feet, enjoying life.

This is just the outcome we want for our friend Bonnie. Before this injury, she was an inspiration and resource for many who were getting into adventure cycling and endurance athletics. She has always been a smiling, upbeat person, ready to get out there and experience all this beautiful world has to offer – and help others do the same thing.

Please join us by donating as much as you can, as soon as you can. Right now, normally high-energy Bonnie is laid up, barely able to get out of bed. Let’s support her so she can get that perfect patch, sit upright, walk out the door and get back into the great outdoors.

Thanks again, and please don’t hesitate to send us any questions or thoughts you have.

Jon & Kathy Rudolf

Rob Gagnon

Megan Buller

Jim Sayer

Steve O'Shaughnessy

Doug Burris

Kris Wheeler