Support Emily in Her Recovery

Over the past month, Emily has endured an incredibly difficult and uncertain journey with her health. On Thanksgiving, she was admitted to the hospital in critical condition due to a severe and mysterious infection. She spent several days in the ICU on a ventilator as her medical team worked tirelessly to stabilize her. Her condition was grave, but slowly, with incredible resilience and care, she began to recover over the coming weeks in the hospital, and began taking steps toward healing at home.

Just as hope for her recovery began to grow, Emily faced another setback, and she was readmitted to the hospital over Christmas. Her doctors identified signs that the infection persisted, raising ongoing questions about her overall health. They are still searching for the cause of her illness and have been unable to identify it, making the path forward unclear. She underwent a procedure that still hasn’t fully addressed it, and her healing process remains closely monitored by her medical team.

Through all of this, Emily’s strength, grace, and spirit have shone brightly. Anyone who knows her knows how deeply she cares for others—whether it’s through her work as a therapist, a wilderness guide, or through the kindness and wisdom she shares with her friends and loved ones. Her grounding presence and her effortless ability to nurture connection have been a source of healing and peace for so many.

This past month has been a stark reminder of how precious life is, and how much Emily means to so many of us. Perhaps you’ve shared peaceful moments with her—hiking, connecting outdoors, or simply sitting together in the beauty of nature—knowing that her presence inspires so much love and gratitude. Her kindness, wisdom, and humor have left an indelible mark on all who are fortunate to know her.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for Emily, just as she has always shown up for others. While her medical expenses are covered, this GoFundMe was created to help cover her basic living expenses during her recovery. She has been unable to work due to her health challenges and will need time to regain her strength before returning to her therapy practice.

The updated goal of $36,000 reflects the uncertainty of Emily’s recovery and her need for time to regain her strength without the pressure to return to work prematurely. These funds, which will go directly to Emily, will allow her to focus on healing, cover her living expenses, and give her the space she needs to fully recover. Emily’s work as a therapist is deeply meaningful but emotionally demanding, and having this financial cushion will help ensure she has the reserves she needs to prioritize her well-being over the long run.

Let’s come together as a community to help Emily through this uncertain time of healing. Every contribution—big or small—will make a difference in helping her regain her strength and continue to inspire the world around her.

At this time, we are focusing community support for Emily through this GoFundMe campaign. If you are wondering about other ways to offer support (sending letters or gifts, hospital visits, MealTrain), please see the answers below for more details. Thank you for your generosity and love.

– Brendan, Felicia, Noël & Fletcher

Other ways to offer support for Emily:

How would Emily like to be in touch if people feel called to reach out (email, text, mailing address)?

At this time, since it takes a lot of energy for Emily to communicate about her condition and treatment, Emily would prefer messages of support be directed to her friend Brendan, who will consolidate and convey them to her, and can provide updates: [email redacted] [dot] com. Or feel free to text Brendan if you have his number.

If you are interested in receiving future updates on Emily’s health, please contact any of the GoFundMe organizers and we can add you to an update list.

Can I send a card, flowers or gifts to Emily’s hospital?

Emily’s discharge date is currently unknown, and we have found that mail/deliveries might not reach her there in a timely way, or at all. If folks want to send something to her and want to be sure she receives it, it might be better to coordinate with Brendan (please see contact above) to make sure it will be received in time, or so Emily can receive them via her home address.

Is Emily open to visitors?

Emily is receiving a very limited amount of visitors. She currently only has enough energy for one 30-minute visit a day. If you want to visit, please contact Brendan and he will inquire with Emily so she can be in touch as she’s able.

Are there other ways people can help beyond the GoFundMe—like errands, meal trains, or sending specific items?

Emily feels like she’s otherwise covered, but please keep your errand & meal train intentions ready for whenever she gets to go home. Please contact any of the GoFundMe organizers if you would like to receive updates about future possibilities to help, using the “Contact” button below, or emailing Brendan: [email redacted] [dot] com