Donate to Ann Yehl's Life-Saving Rehabilitation

Help Us Get Mom the Care She Desperately Needs

I, Alexandria, am creating this GoFundMe in place of my Dad (Michael Ellison) for his mother (Ann Yehl) — my grandma.

Where do I even begin?

On April 28th, we started a big move—helping my mom relocate from Las Vegas to Louisiana to be closer to family and support. Just two days into the trip, on April 30th, everything changed. Mom suffered a massive heart attack while passing through Winslow, Arizona. This tiny town wasn’t equipped for the emergency, and she had to be airlifted to the ICU in Flagstaff, where she remains today. Alone, tired, and trying to heal.

Since then, she’s been fighting for her life—not just from the heart attack, but from pneumonia, the Norovirus, COPD, and emphysema. Her lungs are weak, which led to the heart attack in the first place. She’s undergone heart surgery, but now needs rehabilitation to rebuild strength in her heart and lungs before she can safely continue recovering.

Here’s the heartbreaking part: Medicare has denied coverage for the rehab her doctors say she urgently needs—at least 10 days of care. She only receives $817 a month on Social Security and simply cannot afford it.

We’ve run out of options. None of our family is in Arizona. No one can fly to get her—the large majority of us do not have Real ID’s or Passports in order to fly, funds to rent a car, PTO or sick time at work, and many of us are dealing with our own health or financial challenges. Her sister, who she’s supposed to live with, just had hip surgery and can’t make the trip either.

I took time off work to be with Mom but had to return to Washington/work. FMLA pay is only 60% of my earnings, and my own household bills require much more than 60% of my income. I’m at a crossroad, and don’t know what else to do.

A kind nurse suggested starting this GoFundMe, and I’m here—swallowing pride and asking for help we desperately need.

Our goal is $9,000, which will go toward:

• Rehab care for at least 10 days ($3,000–$5,000)

• Transportation costs to safely relocate Mom to Louisiana (around $3,000)

• Follow-up medical needs and an emergency buffer (around $1,000)

• GoFundMe fees and transaction costs

We are so grateful for any amount you can give. Even just sharing, posting, or promoting this campaign in any way can make a huge difference.

From the bottom of my heart—thank you for reading, supporting, or simply keeping my mom in your prayers.