Support Kason - A brave boy recovering from being hit by an SUV while riding his bike in his little hometown.

Hi, my name is Whitney, and I am reaching out on behalf of someone who means the world to me, my dear nephew Kason.

Kason is a 12-year-old boy with two incredible big sisters: Shayna (20 & working) and Layla (19 & entering her sophomore year of college). Both girls are living independently but live within blocks of each other because they are very involved with helping take care of their little brother, since their mom, Heather, is a single mother. Everything Heather does, every sacrifice, every choice, is for her children. The whole family was born and raised in the small town of Nichols, SC.

On the morning of June 24, 2025, two days before his 12th birthday, Kason's world was turned upside down. He was struck by an SUV while he was riding his bike on a back road in Nichols, very close to his house. Riding bikes on these back roads is something that he and his friends do daily, something that his mom and two uncles grew up doing on the same roads 35 years ago.

Once struck by the SUV, Kason was pinned under the bike and was dragged by the SUV before it stopped and pulled over. Upon arrival at the scene, we were hopeful to find that the police officers were assessing him before the ambulance could arrive. He was in a lot of pain and had severe road rash, but could move all fingers, toes, and his arms and legs, and was speaking to us. Kason was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, an hour away from the scene. Doctors worked quickly and determined that Kason would need immediate surgery to repair a laceration to his kidney and liver, causing major internal bleeding. We have now learned that half of one of his kidneys is "dead." After this initial surgery, Kason received multiple blood transfusions due to the amount of blood loss and endured many other surgeries and procedures during his stay at the hospital, including a procedure where the doctor had to stretch the skin on his sides to cover the amount of skin loss on his back. Despite all the pain, exhaustion, fear, and trauma, Kason fought for his life and future before being unexpectedly released early on July 4th. Kason will now have to begin bi-weekly visits at the doctor's office, an hour away from their home, to undergo assessments and treatments for his back, which has to be cleaned and dressed to ensure healing. Each one of these trips will be a financial strain, and with all of this medical care comes medicine Kason needs and hospital bills, and Kason did not have medical insurance in place at the time of the accident.

During Kason's hospital stay, his mother never left his side. Before the life-changing incident, Heather was working out of town and had just been offered a job she was supposed to begin the week of the accident, here in Nichols. This new job was going to be a great opportunity for the family as it was within walking distance of their home, which helped with her lack of transportation. She relies on friends and family to help her complete basic needs, such as buying groceries and getting to and from work.

Kason's mother has now had to quit her initial job and contact her new employer, letting them know that she cannot begin her new job as Kason needs constant 24/7 care. Kason is unable to walk around their home freely without assistance and also needs help with bathing and other bathroom needs. The family has no income now to cover essentials like rent, utilities, and transportation for medical care.

Even with the constant visits from his family and friends, Kason is very down emotionally as well. He was a very active boy. He loved to be outside. Some of his favorite things to do were riding his bike, fishing, tending to his small garden, and, surprisingly, yard work. He even asked for a weed-eater last year for his birthday. Having to be inside to heal is very hard on him. Kason is also aware that he will not be medically cleared to begin school next month with his friends. Let's show Kason he is not alone in this fight. Let's help him focus on healing so he can get back outside doing the things he loves.

This is where I am asking for your help.

Kason's mom has always been the kind of person who tries to help even if she has very little. Kason has also been known to lend a helping hand by helping his mom around the house, helping his sister with her yard work at her new first home, and helping his neighbor who needs help to clean up their house each week. Kason has been to my house many times, without asking, to mow, run the weed eater, cut my bushes, and help me fix little things outside. He even saved my life once when there was a mouse caught in a trap in my bathroom after the last hurricane! Now it is time for our community to help them. I am asking from the bottom of my heart to please help however you can. Please share Kason's story. Every act of kindness - every prayer matters and is greatly appreciated in their journey.

#KasonStrong

Thank you so much for showing up for Kason and his mother.

With love and gratitude,

Aunt Whitney