"Climb the Hill with Jill"

On Tuesday, April 12, 2022, our dear friend and fellow cyclist, Jill Paxson, was on her way to our weekly Lady's Ride. Unfortunately, she had a collision with a pickup truck pulling a trailer loaded with lawn equipment and traveling at 45+ mph. Her injuries are extensive and severe, suffering a collapsed lung and breaking both arms and legs, 17 ribs, her sternum, her collar bone, and her jaw. But gratefully, she is a very accomplished, fit rider, and she had her helmet on. All of this is on her side. Though she is still in the "waking up stage," the doctors are hopeful there is no brain or spinal cord injury, which alone is miraculous. In the week since her accident, she had six surgeries to repair the broken bones and remains in ICU. We all know her recovery will be long and will require her to be out of work for many months. Our goal is to raise enough money to help with what will be sizable medical expenses.

 

Jill is the strongest female rider in our large and diverse cycling group. But she is so much more. Jill makes us laugh, and her humor often sustains us when we're out on those long, challenging rides. Her athletic drive pushes all of us to be better riders. Her passion for the sport exceeds the entire group combined. So we hope you'll help us help her. And please, share the road. When you drive, slow down and give bikers plenty of space to ride safely. And if you ride, please, wear a helmet.

UPDATE #1 as of 4/19/2022 .... Jill continues to amaze everyone. She had surgeries on all her broken bones (6 surgeries in all) and is now off sedation to allow her to return to her good-humored and tough-ass self. Alvin remains at her side, round the clock, going home only twice in a week to shower and take a little care of himself. He's earned his hero spot too. Liane keeps everyone updated, so if you're on the IBXO cycling group page, you can read about her there. By the way, Liane's been right there too, cheering Jill on and supporting Alvin. Yesterday, when she arrived at the hospital, Jill had her glasses on. Liane said, "She looked like Jill!!" That should make everyone cry. It sure did me. Shout out, too, to Brittney, Alvin's daughter. What an advocate and cheerleader she has been ... and right there with her dad. I'll try to post updates as we move along in this climb with Jill, because we are all in it, and I know many of you don't even know Jill ... but gave because you heard her story and bike as well. We want you in on the climb with her. We ARE family. Keep spreading the word, sharing this page, and sending your thoughts to whatever higher power you choose. It's working! We passed $14,000 today. That's less than 24 hours. Imagine what we are going to be able to do for her. This is goodness at work. "Annnnnnnd ... we're climbing!" 

UPDATE #2 as of 4/23/2022 .... Day two of the Spring Cycle NC ride, and Team Inner Banks is missing our badass cycling buddy, Jill Paxson. She continues to improve in bits and pieces, and yesterday, after taking her off the ventilator for periods up to 4 hours, the doctors moved Jill to a Pulmonary Acute Medical facility or PAM. There, she will receive deep, intensive, and extensive rehab. This is a long-term facility, but if we know Jill, she will break the records and be out of there long before those docs predict.  Alvin says she is agitated and frustrated, but who wouldn't be in her situation. There will be lots and lots of opportunities to pitch in, but for now the most important thing is to get this funded so she and Alvin can concentrate on her getting well and not stress the financial stuff. Give what you can. Every dollar, every donation is a gift of healing. You're an amazing community! Gratitude X 10,000,000,000.