No parent ever expects to spend Christmas in a children’s hospital, praying their child survives something that started as “just the flu.”

On December 20th, my wife took our 13-year-old son, Bentley, to the hospital because he had a fever of over 103 degrees. We were told it was appendicitis and that his appendix was already in the process of rupturing. The hospital did not have the specialist Bentley urgently needed, so he had to be transferred to Riley Children’s Hospital.

By the time Bentley arrived at Riley, his appendix had already ruptured. He was placed on medication and waited nearly 12 hours with a ruptured appendix inside his body before he could finally be taken into surgery. During the operation, doctors found an extreme amount of infection. They removed as much as possible, but there is still a significant amount remaining. The lead surgeon told us this was one of the worst cases she has ever seen at Riley.

Most children with this condition stay in the hospital anywhere from 3 to 10 days. Bentley will be hospitalized well beyond that timeframe, and his recovery is far from over.

Right now, our only concern is being there for our son. One of us must stay at the hospital with Bentley at all times, which means we cannot attend work. Hotel costs near Riley range from $200–$300 per night, and siblings are not allowed to stay at the hospital, so we are also trying to find safe places for our other children to stay.

Christmas has always been something we spend together as a whole family. Bentley is only 13 years old, and all we want is to be able to be with him during this incredibly scary time—especially during the holidays.

Between hospital expenses, missed work, travel, lodging, and the added strain of the holiday season, the financial burden has become overwhelming. We are asking for help so we can afford to stay close to Bentley, support him through his recovery, and spend Christmas together as a family.

Any donation, no matter the size, helps more than we can express. If you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser or keeping Bentley in your prayers means just as much to us. Thank you for your kindness, support, and love during one of the hardest moments of our lives. ❤️