Help Josh Heal Fund
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Throughout life there are a handful of people we meet who would do anything for anyone. Our amazing friend, Josh McDonald, has done so time and time again - not only for friends and family - but for his country and community as well. Today we're asking you to join us in helping him.
Josh is an Air Force combat veteran as well as a first responder, having served as a firefighter and paramedic for the last decade. He has worked for various departments starting his career in Casper, WY. He also serves on the MAFIT Fire Investigation team, investigating fires across Colorado.
While working for the Berthoud Fire Protection District in March of 2016, during the investigation of a devastating and fatal fire, Josh fell through an unstable floor. He suffered significant trauma to his left knee, requiring hardware to be implanted for stabilization.
Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, the surgically-implanted hardware carried Staph bacteria, which Josh’s body worked to fight for months. On Thanksgiving night, his body went into sepsis. He was airlifted to Anschutz Medical Campus and nearly lost his left leg.
Though his limb was saved, the surgery Josh underwent meant the removal of substantial bone, muscle, ligament and tendon tissue. The Infection turned to MRSA and a PICC line was put in place so he can receive round-the-clock antibiotics. He knew that his battle would be uphill from that point, with eight additional surgeries on the horizon to rebuild his leg. What he didn’t expect was that the antibiotics, aimed at eliminating his infection, would begin attacking his kidneys.
Josh has been admitted to in-patient services at Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital in Loveland, where he is expected to remain until at least mid-January. He is on dialysis, being treated for his infection, and undergoing what physical therapy he can endure.
The disappointment of spending the holidays in the hospital, and general concern about the serious illness he faces would be enough. But being unable to work is raising an entirely new set of concerns for Josh – simply paying the bills.
Being the humble person Josh is, always coming to the aid of others, admitting that he needs help now is far from easy. But the bills are still coming, and Josh’s daughter, Kaycee, still needs support. Now it’s our turn to step up and our turn to respond.
Your gift, to help this hero focus on his healing, would be a tremendous support this holiday season. Whether you’re able to give just $5 or $10, or you’re blessed with the resources to give more, every dollar will give Josh peace of mind that things at home remain afloat.
In addition to your gift, please join us in lifting Josh, his girlfriend Lauren, and his daughter Kaycee, in prayer. Josh is a strong, resilient, honorable man, who is being tested to the limit right now. Let’s join together in thanking him for his service and sacrifice – on behalf of our country and community – by supporting him this season.
With deepest thanks,
Kara & Neil Pappas
Josh is an Air Force combat veteran as well as a first responder, having served as a firefighter and paramedic for the last decade. He has worked for various departments starting his career in Casper, WY. He also serves on the MAFIT Fire Investigation team, investigating fires across Colorado.
While working for the Berthoud Fire Protection District in March of 2016, during the investigation of a devastating and fatal fire, Josh fell through an unstable floor. He suffered significant trauma to his left knee, requiring hardware to be implanted for stabilization.
Unbeknownst to anyone at the time, the surgically-implanted hardware carried Staph bacteria, which Josh’s body worked to fight for months. On Thanksgiving night, his body went into sepsis. He was airlifted to Anschutz Medical Campus and nearly lost his left leg.
Though his limb was saved, the surgery Josh underwent meant the removal of substantial bone, muscle, ligament and tendon tissue. The Infection turned to MRSA and a PICC line was put in place so he can receive round-the-clock antibiotics. He knew that his battle would be uphill from that point, with eight additional surgeries on the horizon to rebuild his leg. What he didn’t expect was that the antibiotics, aimed at eliminating his infection, would begin attacking his kidneys.
Josh has been admitted to in-patient services at Northern Colorado Rehabilitation Hospital in Loveland, where he is expected to remain until at least mid-January. He is on dialysis, being treated for his infection, and undergoing what physical therapy he can endure.
The disappointment of spending the holidays in the hospital, and general concern about the serious illness he faces would be enough. But being unable to work is raising an entirely new set of concerns for Josh – simply paying the bills.
Being the humble person Josh is, always coming to the aid of others, admitting that he needs help now is far from easy. But the bills are still coming, and Josh’s daughter, Kaycee, still needs support. Now it’s our turn to step up and our turn to respond.
Your gift, to help this hero focus on his healing, would be a tremendous support this holiday season. Whether you’re able to give just $5 or $10, or you’re blessed with the resources to give more, every dollar will give Josh peace of mind that things at home remain afloat.
In addition to your gift, please join us in lifting Josh, his girlfriend Lauren, and his daughter Kaycee, in prayer. Josh is a strong, resilient, honorable man, who is being tested to the limit right now. Let’s join together in thanking him for his service and sacrifice – on behalf of our country and community – by supporting him this season.
With deepest thanks,
Kara & Neil Pappas
Organizer and beneficiary
Kara Dietz Pappas
Organizer
Loveland, CO
Josh Macdonald
Beneficiary
