Yesterday, our family experienced a devastating boating accident on the Chesapeake Bay near Pasadena. My mom, her boyfriend Bill, and my little sisters, Avery (9) and Leah (3), were all on the boat when it caught fire. Bill suffered second-degree burns on both of his legs. Avery suffered first- and second-degree burns to her leg and shoulder and was thankfully able to go home later that day. My youngest sister, Leah, suffered second-degree burns on both of her legs and first-degree burns on her face. She had to be sedated so doctors could treat her burns and is still at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, where she’ll be staying for at least two nights. In the middle of everything, my mom never even got checked out herself because she was worried about the cost of medical bills. Bill also lost his boat and everything they had with them that day.

We’re raising money to help with medical expenses, lost belongings, travel to and from the hospital, and the many unexpected costs that come after something like this. The support from friends, family, and the community means so much to us as we navigate this difficult time. If you’re able to donate or even just share this fundraiser, our family would be incredibly grateful.