Covid-19 Support for my Dad (John Hunter)

Sarah Gagnon is organizing this fundraiser.

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I'm raising money to help my brother Christian with travel costs to return to Namibia and help care for my dad, who is hospitalized with COVID-19. The money will also help cover the cost of COVID-19 medications.

Last week my parents caught COVID-19 and my dad is very sick. I am thankful that my brother Christian was able to travel to be with him to ensure he gets medical care.

Yesterday, Christian flew to Namibia from DC. He and his spouse, Annelise, and five kids moved back to the US last week, and two days later he had to turn around and fly back. That's 30 hours each way! I can't even imagine.

Christian worked in Namibia for the last ten years at UNAM - University of Namibia Medical School. After saying goodbye to his students and the doctors he had trained, they thought he was a ghost when he walked into the hospital this morning!

Dad is currently at the hospital where Christian worked. Its a rough situation at the hospital. There is no heat, so his room is about 32°F. Dad is sharing a room with 4-6 other patients and gurneys with COVID-19 patients are lining the hallway. The spiking rates of COVID-19 in Namibia and the lack of vaccine availability has been very stressful for us. As our rates of COVID-19 are going down, it’s been hard to be in the middle of another “spike” so close to home in my family.

Mom told me that Dad is wearing a sweater that I knit to keep him warm. Christian said, "Sarah, that sweater is going to save his life." Now I really feel like I'm a knitting action hero. (yes, using humor to lighten my mood now.)

Dad is still his typical adventuresome self. His IV pump broke and he fixed it, MacGyver style, with his pocket knife. He has an oxygen mask but is not intubated. I am very hopeful that he will recover!

There isn’t much I can do to help my dad but I want to help Christian and his family with this expensive emergency travel, and the price of medications. Will you help me help Christian help my dad? (cheesy... but I'm feeling dramatic.)

Thanks,

Sarah