Gavin's Fight: Join Us in His Recovery

Update 2/17 - Gavin has been taken off the ventilator and moved out of ICU, which is wonderful! He will remain in the hospital until the wound vac is removed. We are still working to put together the post-discharge plan… but we know there will be extensive follow up care. Gavi has lost one kidney, his diaphragm was damaged and he suffered serious damage to his liver. The damage to skin and muscle will also take time to heal. Both the short, and long-term results of those injuries are still unclear… but we do know that things will be different going forward. The emotion toll that this has taken will also take some time to work through.

Gavin has a long road ahead for him… but we are so grateful he is still with us! Gavin does not have a car of his own, so he will have to rely on us, his family, to do our best to get him where he needs to be. When he leaves the hospital, Gavin has short term housing in place…. But that will be available for only a matter of months. We do not yet know how Gavin’s injuries may limit, or how long, his ability to work.

What we do know, is that there is hope. Instead of planning a funeral, we are trying to figure out how to make everything work… and though it will not be easy, it is a struggle we are grateful to have.

Like most families, we do not have an ‘emergency nest egg’ to draw on. We are doing the best we can with what we have. Everyone has challenges they face… and no one really ever has ‘extra’ money. The donations we have gotten are so deeply appreciated!!! Not only because every cent is so important… but because of the compassion behind the donation. Thank you for caring!!!

Additional donations are very welcome, as the next few months, especially, will bring many appointments and changes.

Compassion takes many forms, though… if you would like to help but cannot donate, please share this page, take a moment to send a thought or prayer for healing… or simply hug a loved one.

Not all families are as lucky as we are right now. Gavin has survived a moment of extreme violence. Not all victims do… and our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones. Please keep all victims of violence in your hearts.

Thank you.

Update 2/14/25: Gavin is on the road to recovery but he still has a long road ahead of him. He is out of the ICU and in a regular room now. He’s still hooked up to a machine to help heal his wound faster. He still doesn’t have insurance so we still need your help to make sure he has all of the medical supplies and equipment that he will need when he finally gets to go home. We really appreciate everyone’s help so far and continued prayers and good vibes sent our way.

Update 2/5/25: Gavin just had his 4th surgery. He's still sedated and on the ventilator. His doctors are working very hard to keep him as comfortable as possible. Because he only has one kidney, and he's on so many IV drips, he is very swollen. His kidney isn't working enough for him to take anything to reduce the water retention yet. He also had damage to his diaphragm, which made it hard for him to fully inflate his lungs. This led to fluid being on both lungs and the bottom of both lungs collapsing. They had to put in chest tubes on both sides to drain the fluid. Please continue to keep him and our family in your prayers and thoughts. Thank you so much for all of your generosity! You have no idea how much it is appreciated!

On January 22, 2025, Renee Eve Cechvala-Petty's son Gavin Podhorn (23) was accidentally shot with a high-powered hunting rifle while in his own home. The bullet went through two walls and then entered his abdomen. Gavin has lost a kidney, his liver is badly damaged, the bottom of both lungs have collapsed and are filled with fluid, and a chest tube has been placed to help drain the infection. Gavin is being treated at Liberty Hospital ICU. The family is requesting prayers and monetary donations to help pay Gavin's bills, including his mortgage, and for gas so Renee can continue being there for her son while he fights for his life. Renee and Shane have one vehicle to share, resulting in significant gas expenses, particularly as they travel to Carrollton twice a day, five days a week, for work. Renee has been by Gavin's side as much as possible. If you are able to provide financial assistance, it would be greatly appreciated. Donations can be made to Renee through the following platforms: Cash App $ReneeCechvala, Venmo @Renee-Cechvala, and PayPal @rcechvala1.