Hi everyone,

It’s hard to put into words how much heartbreak one person can endure, but we are trying our best to do that for Mike Gergely—a friend who has given so much joy, laughter, and love to the people around him, and who now finds himself in the middle of unimaginable loss.

Two years ago, Mike lost his older brother, Mark Gergely, suddenly and without warning. That kind of grief doesn’t fade—it settles into your bones. As we recently passed the anniversary of Mark’s death, life dealt Mike another devastating blow. Last week, he was involved in a severe motorcycle accident in Florida through absolutely no fault of his own. The injuries were catastrophic: major trauma to his pelvis and multiple vertebrae in his spine, requiring significant surgery. Doctors have told him he will not attempt to walk for weeks—possibly months—and that his recovery will be long, painful, and uncertain.

Then, while Mike lay in a hospital bed—injured, overwhelmed, and vulnerable—his mother also passed away suddenly on January 31st. It goes without saying that losing a parent is one of the toughest challenges to face, but this is even worse as he is unable to be with his father during this tragic time.

To lose a brother. To be fighting through serious physical trauma. To then lose a parent—all within such a short span of time—feels cruel beyond words.

If you know Mike, you know how deeply this hurts. He is the person who makes everyone laugh when they need it most. The friend who fits in everywhere, who builds connections wherever life takes him, who lifts the mood just by walking into a room. He has always been the one showing up for others, never asking for anything in return.

Now, Mike is facing months away from work, time in a rehabilitation facility, overwhelming medical bills, everyday living expenses, and the unexpected cost of laying his mother to rest—all while grieving and trying to heal his body.

Thankfully, Mike has a wonderful partner in life, Madeline, who is trying her best to stay by his side in support, while also holding down the fort at home with their shared fur baby, Ricky. Without doubt, going from dual incomes to a single income has become a challenge of it's own. 

This fundraiser is about giving Mike space to breathe. Space to grieve. Space to heal. It’s about lifting a burden he should never have had to carry alone, so he can focus on recovery instead of worrying about how he’ll survive financially during the hardest chapter of his life.

If you are able to donate, please know that no amount is too small. If you can’t donate, sharing this page or keeping Mike in your thoughts means more than you know. Every act of kindness matters.

Thank you for helping surround Mike with the same love, humor, and support he has so freely given to everyone else. He deserves to feel held through this.