My dear friend Chris Mangum needs our help. Chris has been hospitalized since March 5th in EvergreenHealth Medical Center, after an atrial fibrillation (AFib) event.

Chris previously had some mobility issues, and due to the AFib event, he is unable to safely walk at all. Recovery is being measured by individual steps. 7 is better than 0, but a frustratingly small number.

What does Chris need? In addition to paying for the current hospital stay and treatment, once released, Chris will need nursing care at home until he recovers enough to take care of himself again. He is currently unable to safely move about his apartment, cook, or even shower. A professional aide is needed, at least for the time being.

Of the obstacles, I don’t know which one sounds more frightening to me: unanticipated medical bills or the sudden loss of the ability to do basic things for myself like walk to the bathroom or kitchen. But I know which problem we can help Chris solve.

These costs are rough estimates which I’ll update as more information becomes available.

• Hospital stay and treatment (based on out of pocket max): $5,000

• Nursing care (5 hours a day, $40/hr.) for 4 weeks: $5,600

Chris is kind, ferociously smart, creative, generous, insightful, funny and even though Chris is sick and scared, he's trying to organize paperwork, coordinate care, and solve complex problems from the hospital. 

Please consider assisting Chris with his medical expenses.