Help Support Cole and Family
Donation protected
What happened?
On Monday, February 18, Cole was not feeling well (e.g. unable to keep any food or fluids down, seemed dehydrated, etc.) so Thomas took her to the ER near their home. As they pulled up, Cole seemed to suffer a seizure/lose consciousness. She went into cardiac arrest. The ER team worked on her for 20-25 minutes to get her heart working again, which they ultimately did, but she was still unconscious. She was admitted to the ICU there, and they determined that she had fallen into a coma and suffered an anoxic brain injury (lack of oxygen to the brain). On Thursday, February 21, she was moved to INOVA Fairfax Neuroscience ICU for better monitoring. After several weeks of tests and monitoring, but no progress, the doctors delivered the horrible news that there was nothing else that could be done and she was transitioned to hospice care. More details on her story can be found here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coleoshea
Why are we setting up this account?
Thomas hasn’t so much endorsed me doing this, as he has acquiesced to my gentle nagging. But I, like many of you that have reached out to me with the same idea, think it is a way to create options in a time of few choices.
As the unimaginable unfolds around Cole and her family, so many people have been asking how to help. So much has been done already - Coverage for Sabine (10) and Henry (8) has been arranged so that Thomas can be at the hospital to sit with Cole and meet with doctors. Meals have been organized. Messages of support have been posted daily. The support from the community has been amazing – thank you so much! Our new goal is $47,000, in honor of Cole's 47th birthday (3/23).
What will the money be used for?
This GoFundMe account is being set up in honor of Cole O’Shea. The money can be used to help with both the practical and maybe even the not-so-practical. The money will be turned over to Thomas so he can use it for whatever will benefit the kids the most. It will be 100% his choice. I’ll be honest though, I hope that we raise so much money that he can use some of this fund to help with practical things like childcare this summer, or housekeeping services, or even doggie day care for Bernie, their 120 lb Bernese Mountain dog (puppy).
I also hope that Thomas will use some of the money like Cole would: to buy Sabine some ridiculously expensive yellow tennis shoes that will fit for one season, simply because she loves yellow and they make her face light up. Or, maybe he could use it to send Henry to fishing camp so Henry’s love of the outdoors and nature will continue to flourish in new ways (that may, or may not, include another fish tank in his room).
Most of all, I hope that when he does use these funds, he'll feel all of the love and support that is around him. I know that no matter what - practical or with an eye towards Cole's fun side - he’ll use the money with love to care for Sabine and Henry in the best way possible.
Thank you very much for reading and considering supporting this amazing family!
On Monday, February 18, Cole was not feeling well (e.g. unable to keep any food or fluids down, seemed dehydrated, etc.) so Thomas took her to the ER near their home. As they pulled up, Cole seemed to suffer a seizure/lose consciousness. She went into cardiac arrest. The ER team worked on her for 20-25 minutes to get her heart working again, which they ultimately did, but she was still unconscious. She was admitted to the ICU there, and they determined that she had fallen into a coma and suffered an anoxic brain injury (lack of oxygen to the brain). On Thursday, February 21, she was moved to INOVA Fairfax Neuroscience ICU for better monitoring. After several weeks of tests and monitoring, but no progress, the doctors delivered the horrible news that there was nothing else that could be done and she was transitioned to hospice care. More details on her story can be found here: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/coleoshea
Why are we setting up this account?
Thomas hasn’t so much endorsed me doing this, as he has acquiesced to my gentle nagging. But I, like many of you that have reached out to me with the same idea, think it is a way to create options in a time of few choices.
As the unimaginable unfolds around Cole and her family, so many people have been asking how to help. So much has been done already - Coverage for Sabine (10) and Henry (8) has been arranged so that Thomas can be at the hospital to sit with Cole and meet with doctors. Meals have been organized. Messages of support have been posted daily. The support from the community has been amazing – thank you so much! Our new goal is $47,000, in honor of Cole's 47th birthday (3/23).
What will the money be used for?
This GoFundMe account is being set up in honor of Cole O’Shea. The money can be used to help with both the practical and maybe even the not-so-practical. The money will be turned over to Thomas so he can use it for whatever will benefit the kids the most. It will be 100% his choice. I’ll be honest though, I hope that we raise so much money that he can use some of this fund to help with practical things like childcare this summer, or housekeeping services, or even doggie day care for Bernie, their 120 lb Bernese Mountain dog (puppy).
I also hope that Thomas will use some of the money like Cole would: to buy Sabine some ridiculously expensive yellow tennis shoes that will fit for one season, simply because she loves yellow and they make her face light up. Or, maybe he could use it to send Henry to fishing camp so Henry’s love of the outdoors and nature will continue to flourish in new ways (that may, or may not, include another fish tank in his room).
Most of all, I hope that when he does use these funds, he'll feel all of the love and support that is around him. I know that no matter what - practical or with an eye towards Cole's fun side - he’ll use the money with love to care for Sabine and Henry in the best way possible.
Thank you very much for reading and considering supporting this amazing family!
Organizer and beneficiary
Stacey Dash
Organizer
Alexandria, VA
Thomas OShea
Beneficiary