Gaylen was healthy, strong, and active, working as a veterinary technician on the overnight shift at an animal emergency hospital. Everything changed when he suddenly ended up in the emergency room with a dangerously high fever and unable to keep any food down. Within a week, Gaylen was in kidney, lung, and heart failure, and doctors still have no clear answer for what caused his illness. He spent nine weeks in the hospital, eight of those in the ICU, fighting for his life. Now, Gaylen is in the stepdown unit and will soon be transferred to a rehabilitation hospital, where he faces months of rehabilitation and recovery ahead.

As Gaylen works toward regaining his strength, the bills are piling up and will likely increase with ongoing medical needs. Any money raised will primarily help pay his hospital bills and cover rehabilitation essentials like a wheelchair, walker, or crutches. If there is any left, it will help him get back on his feet financially and ease the burden of living expenses while he recovers.

Your support will help take away some of the stress, anxiety, and worry that comes with dealing with such an unexpected and severe illness. Gaylen is already talking about returning to the work he loves, caring for animals and helping others. Any help you can give will make a real difference in his journey back to health and independence.