In Memory of Mark Allen: Supporting The Family

Hi, I’m Miranda and I’m starting this Go Fund Me on behalf of a friend and co-worker, Kristen. We live in a small town and we all pulled through for the month of December to ensure that she and her 4 kids had food, Christmas presents and everything else they needed to try and enjoy Christmas whole her husband and their dad, Mark, battled covid 19 in the ICU at Brockville General Hospital on a ventilator.

Mark went into the hospital on December 15th and was put on the ventilator on the 18th. He’s been on it ever since. Its been a rollercoaster of emotions for Kristen as she relies on daily updates by phone from the nurses and occasionally the doctor. Days after Mark went to the hospital, and EMS came to their house to test the family, the three kids living at home all tested positive; Kristen tested negative but was still put on quarantine until January 4 along with the kids - 5, 14 & 16.

Kristen has been a full time PSW at Wellington House Long Term Care facility in Prescott for 18 years. She has taken care of many residents and is a welcomed sight to many families. PSW’s are known for their selflessness, patience, hard work and dedication and Kristen shares that at work and at home with her kids. The burden of her kids not knowing the fate of their father as well as not having anything ready for Christmas was a definitely challenge that She felt heavily. Luckily with the support of this small town, we were all able to give them a Christmas to remember and they were without nothing! From turkeys to presents to gift cards to Tim hortons runs, the community pitched in to get them through the season. But now is when reality kicks in….

Mark continues to decline every day. He is needing 70% oxygen from the ventilator and he is in renal failure. There is talk of sending him to Kingston for dialysis. The kids and Kristen had one FaceTime with him where the nurses told them he can hear but no communicate. They were hoping the sound of their voices would give him the fight he needs. Unfortunately his body is just not strong enough. Kristen has a virtual call today at 4 pm with the doctor and has been told to prepare for the worst.

Please help Kristen and her family so that finances will be one less worry for them. She is off work for 6 weeks to be home with the kids but is still self isolating as an extra precaution. Mark had just taken a job weeks before getting the virus to make some extra money for Christmas. Kristen has been off work since Mark went to the hospital and is waiting for unemployment to begin. I hope we can show this family how community stands together!!