Dear Friends, Family, and Friends, we've yet to meet,

 

We would be grateful if you would share this with anyone you know who knows us or has an inclination to help others.

 

As you might know, our son, brother, and friend, Gaven, was struck by an SUV at full traffic speeds while riding his bike to his favorite fishing spot last weekend. He remains in critical condition at the UCD Med Center. We believe he is in the best possible place and receiving the very best care available. The outstanding staff at the UC Davis Medical Center have the expertise he needs to have a fighting chance. And every day he keeps fighting!

 

There is no way to know when this horribly surreal situation will improve, but we've been given loose time frames of 3 to 9 months, with a full recovery (we pray that's in the cards) happening outside of a year. COVID restrictions are still very tight, but we have been by his side all day, every day, until they make us leave. Our hopes are to ensure that he has as much direct contact with us as possible, so he can feel our touch and hear our voices as we surround him with love and encouragement.

 

Unfortunately, there has been very little  time to maintain the other aspects of our lives, and it appears that there isn't going to be, for quite a long while. It's this situation that has led us to recognize that we need help. This page has been set up by friends, to try to alleviate some of the hardest impacts, and we're incredibly grateful to them.

 

We are a very strong family, more used to being the helpers than those in need of it. We are healers and problem-solvers, by profession. The very foundation of who we are requires us to be in the service of others. We realize now, at this moment, that there are times in life when it becomes necessary to put aside pride and raise your hand to ask for help. Reaching out for help is a really difficult thing for us.

 

But here it goes...

 

The reason this page is titled "Gaven's Family Relief Fund" is that...the ask...is for us. This situation has caused us to put our small business, and other income-earning, on hold until things are enough improved that Gaven doesn't require our constant supervision; a time frame that is still a moving target. And while Gaven has what he needs to begin to heal, financially we are rapidly coming unraveled. There is deep concern that we won't be able to keep up with our family and business obligations.

 

Your gift of financial relief will go towards helping us with three months of our household and business expenses. This is the bare minimum needed to keep the roof over our heads and the lights on, both personally and professionally. These funds will not be used for any non-essential costs, and any remaining funds will be used to improve Gaven's future and pay outstanding medical bills.

 

We are VERY grateful for all the positive thoughts, prayers, and emotional support you have all given us in this difficult time. Hopefully, the gift of financial help will allow us to keep up the good fight and bring our joyful boy home sooner because the ICU staff continue to tell us that the patients who have loving families like ours involved in their daily care, recover faster and better. We want that for Gaven.

 

We thank you sincerely for taking the time to consider our situation, and we're eager to continue sharing updates on his progress, recovery, and wins as they become available.

 

Sincerely,

Mike, Kara, Julie, Sophia, Marlowe, David, and last but certainly not least, Gaven