Hello everybody,

My name is Devon O'Reilly, and I have created this GoFundMe to support my dear friend Lauren Downing and her partner Kevin MacDermott as they navigate an incredibly difficult and unexpected medical crisis.

On the evening of Saturday, July 12, Kevin went into cardiac arrest at home. Thanks to Lauren’s immediate action, performing chest compressions until EMTs arrived, he survived — but was placed into a medically induced coma and underwent therapeutic hypothermia in the ICU to protect his brain and body. For several days, his prognosis was uncertain.

Kevin is now awake and showing real signs of progress — including talking, interaction, and even flipping off a nurse who dared to ask how he felt — but his recovery is far from over. He remains hospitalized and will leave the ICU soon. Lots of work continues to be made on his short-term memory loss, extreme fatigue, physical rehabilitation, and the emotional toll of what he’s been through. Physical therapy has just begun, and it’s clear that healing will take time.

Kevin is a freelance healthcare copywriter, and while he’s unable to work, he has no paid leave or safety net. As Lauren prepares to return to work soon, they are facing serious financial challenges, including medical bills, lost income, and the need for temporary support with daily life and caregiving during Kevin’s rehabilitation.

Funds raised will go toward:

Every contribution — no matter the size — will help ease the burden on this family during a challenging and uncertain time, and will allow them to focus on what matters most: Kevin’s healing and time together.

Thank you so much for your support.