Hi, my name is Sara, and I’m creating this fundraiser for my best friends Annabella and Wade.

On New Year’s, something terrifying and completely unexpected happened that changed their lives overnight.

In the early morning hours, Wade became seriously ill at home. Annabella noticed something was wrong when he didn’t respond normally and began losing consciousness. As the night went on, his condition worsened and he became extremely difficult to wake, could not sit up on his own, and his speech became slow and labored. Shortly after, he became unresponsive and his breathing became shallow.

Annabella called 911 and waited with him while waiting for emergency responders. Paramedics were unable to wake him, and he was rushed by ambulance to Kennestone Trauma Center.

For hours, doctors and nurses tried to wake Wade with no response. Annabella was eventually told that they did not know if Wade would wake up, and if he did, whether he would have permanent brain damage.

After more than 15 hours, Wade finally began to respond but he could not see and showed signs of paralysis. He was admitted to the hospital for several days while doctors ran extensive tests and worked to stabilize him.

Wade was diagnosed with toxic metabolic encephalopathy, meaning his body went into such severe shock that it began shutting down vital functions starting with consciousness, then motor function, and progressing toward loss of more critical function. His white blood cell count was dangerously high, indicating a serious systemic response, and doctors were concerned about sepsis.

Thankfully, after multiple days of treatment, Wade slowly began to improve. His MRI and brain scans showed no permanent damage. His vision began returning, his lab values started improving, and he was eventually stable enough to come home.

Wade does not remember most of what happened. Annabella was the sole witness to the most critical moments and truly acted just in time to save his life.

Now that Wade is home, he is recovering but extremely exhausted and has not returned to work. Annabella also had to cancel work and appointments during this crisis. Between missed income, ongoing recovery needs, and the medical bills that will be arriving, they are facing overwhelming financial stress.

I’m asking for help on their behalf to support:

    •    Rent and basic living expenses

    •    Food and recovery needs

    •    Annabella’s tattoo studio expenses while work was missed

    •    Medical bills from ambulance transport, hospital care, and testing

Our goal is $5,000 to help them get through this recovery period without losing their stability while Wade heals.

Thank you so much for reading, these are my best friends and everyone who knows them knows they are wonderful people. Wade was almost lost to us, and the shock of this situation is felt by many.

If you’re able to donate, share, or send support, it would mean everything. Annabella saved Wade’s life, and now they need help getting through the aftermath.