Hi, my name is Heather Knutsen, and this is incredibly hard for us to write. We feel horrible even asking for help, as our family has always tried to work hard, stay positive, and handle things on our own. Reaching out like this is humbling, but our circumstances have brought us to a point where we truly need support.

For the past year, my husband CJ Knutsen has been dealing with unexplained medical issues that have taken a physical, emotional, and financial toll on our family. Over the past couple of months, these issues escalated, leading to multiple hospital visits and a week-and-a-half hospital stay more than an hour away from home. After months of testing and uncertainty, we finally began getting answers—CJ has been diagnosed with two very rare autoimmune diseases. While having a diagnosis brings some clarity, it also means a long road of ongoing treatment, specialist care, and frequent hospital visits ahead.

We are a family of seven with five children who are very active in our community. CJ has always been someone who gives back—coaching, volunteering, and helping wherever he can. Asking for help does not come easily for us, but right now our focus has to be on CJ’s health and keeping our family steady through this difficult season.

CJ now requires continued care from specialists, which means frequent travel to Lansing and Ann Arbor for appointments. Along with the cost of travel, hospital visits, and pricey injections that remain expensive even with our current insurance, we are also facing the challenge of finding and paying for childcare during appointments and hospital stays.

Due to his medical condition, CJ has been placed on short-term disability, which has reduced our household income at a time when expenses continue to rise. Between missed work, medical bills, childcare, travel, and everyday family needs, the financial strain has become overwhelming.

Funds raised will help cover medical expenses, injections and treatments, travel to specialist appointments, childcare needs, lost income while CJ is on short-term disability, and basic household expenses while we focus on his health and caring for our family.

Any amount truly helps and is deeply appreciated. If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser or keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers means just as much to us. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kindness, generosity, and support during this difficult time.