Hi, and thank you for taking the time to read this.
I am organizing this fundraiser for my close friend Jonas from Lithuania and his parents, Rūta and Danas Gaškauskai, whose lives changed in a single moment.
A few years ago, Jonas lived with me and my mom in the U.S. during a student exchange program called Southwestern Advantage, where he sold educational books door-to-door. During that time he became like family to us. Today, he needs help he simply cannot access on his own in Lithuania.
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What happened
Recently, on their way home to the small town of Švenčionys, Rūta and Danas were involved in a devastating car accident near their home. Their beloved dog Luna died at the scene. Both parents were rushed to the hospital in critical condition and have been fighting for their lives ever since.
This tragedy came after nearly a decade of medical challenges, cancer, financial strain, and repeated attempts to rebuild their lives. They are hardworking, humble people who never asked for anything — but life kept testing them. This accident was the hardest hit yet.
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Danas – the father
Danas used to be a businessman, working long hours to keep our family financially stable. When his health started to collapse and cancer entered his life in 2016, everything changed. Surgeries, treatments and countless hospital visits slowly pushed him out of the business world. For a while he stayed at home, taking care of the house, the garden and everything around it, trying to remain useful even when his body was getting weaker. Eventually, when he felt a little stronger, he found a simpler job in a construction company, driving raw materials to building sites – work that allowed him to contribute without the stress and responsibility he once carried.
Doctors say he will never walk again and will not regain the use of his hands.
He currently breathes through a tracheostomy tube, cannot speak, and cannot perform even the smallest tasks without assistance. He will need lifelong rehabilitation, caregiving, and specialized equipment just to live with dignity.
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Rūta – the mother
Rūta was also severely injured. She has fractures and internal injuries that make every movement painful. She is still undergoing treatment and will require rehabilitation simply to function independently again.
Despite living far from neighbors in the countryside, everyone who knows her calls her an angel. She is the person who cooks for others, brings help before anyone asks, and never says no to someone in need. Now she is the one who needs support — and it is emotionally very hard for her to accept that.
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Why financial help is urgently needed
Lithuania has public healthcare, but it does not cover:
• Long-term rehabilitation for both parents
• A medical bed, wheelchair, lifting systems, and other equipment for Danas
• Home modifications (ramps, widened doors, accessible bathroom, lift systems)
• Daily caregivers and nursing support
• Transportation between hospitals and rehab centers
• Basic living expenses while the family cannot work
Jonas and his sister are doing everything humanly possible. They even created a small non-profit foundation in their parents’ names to manage the costs transparently. But the reality is that the required care is far beyond what they can afford in Lithuania, especially while spending most of their time in hospitals.
All funds from this GoFundMe will be withdrawn by me (the U.S. organizer) and sent directly to Jonas/their official foundation to pay for medical expenses, rehabilitation, equipment, home adaptations, and caregiver support.
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How your help will be used
Your donation will help:
• Purchase a medical bed, wheelchair, lift system, and safety equipment for Danas
• Adapt the home so he can live there safely despite paralysis
• Pay for rehabilitation programs that could improve their quality of life
• Fund caregivers and nursing support
• Cover essential living expenses during this crisis
Even a small donation makes a significant difference in Lithuania — $10–20 can cover medication for a week or multiple hospital trips.
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A personal note
I got to know Jonas when he lived with us during his student program. He worked unbelievably hard, respected everyone, and helped wherever he could. His parents raised him to be kind, responsible, and strong — and now they are the ones who need strength from the world.
If you cannot donate, please share this fundraiser. It helps more than you can imagine.
From the bottom of our hearts — thank you for reading, thank you for caring, and thank you for giving Rūta and Danas a chance to return home to a life that is safe, accessible, and dignified.