My name is Wendi Wacker, and I’m organizing this fundraiser for my dear friend Tawny Coates. Tawny and I became close after the heartbreaking loss of her brother Tyler, someone I had the honor of calling a friend for over 24 years. In the wake of that shared grief, our bond has grown, and now Tawny needs our support more than ever.

In March, Tawny suffered a serious fall that injured her back and forced her out of work on March 22nd. Since then, she’s been facing an uphill battle both physically and financially.

She underwent her first back surgery on June 6th, but complications quickly followed. On June 24th, Tawny was rushed back to the hospital due to a severe infection at the surgical site. A second emergency surgery was required to clean the infection, and she remained hospitalized for a week. She's now home, but under strict doctor’s orders: she must stay in isolation for 6 weeks with a PICC line delivering daily antibiotics, only leaving the house for essential medical appointments.

To make matters worse, her insurance has denied coverage for her first surgery, and she’s still waiting to learn what she’ll ultimately owe. With no income and mounting medical bills, Tawny is struggling to keep up with rent, groceries, and basic living expenses. She’s expected to be out of work for at least another 3–4 months.

We’re asking for your help to ease the financial pressure on Tawny so she can focus on what matters most - healing. Every donation, no matter how small, will help her keep a roof over her head and food on the table during this incredibly difficult time. If you're not in a position to give, sharing this page would mean the world.

Thank you so much for your kindness and support.