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On May 22, 2017, a terrible accident happened that has forever changed the life of our dear friend and family member, Lucas Raffin. He was the victim of a horrible accident that left him losing his right hand instantaneously, in a coma for 3 days, with severe chemical burns all over his left leg and face, in addition to massive eye injuries that left us worrying he would be blind and his left knee was swollen with foreign objects all throughout.

Luke was in the ICU Burn Unit at Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Oregon, for 2 weeks. During that time he underwent multiple surgeries to repair the damage that was done. A specialist had to be brought in to amputate his right arm to just below his elbow. Luke also had to have knee surgery to drain fluid and remove foreign objects from it. He still has more knee surgeries to undergo to remove even more stuff and repair any damage that everything has caused.

Luke also had to undergo 3 surgeries to repair his eyes. His left eye received the blunt of the explosion causing him to have a retina and cornea transplant and all of the lenses replaced due to glass and the chemical burns. Luckily, thanks to the perseverance and talent of his doctors, he has near perfect vision in both of his eyes. We have considered that to be the true miracle.

As of July 11, 2017, Luke received the all-clear from his burn doctor telling him he won’t have to go back in for treatment on his burns again, which is great news!

Luke is extremely grateful for all of the love and support and prayers he’s received from friends, family, and even strangers. He attributes his fast healing to all of the positivity that has surrounded him and the prayers that’s have come through. It’s kept him positive that he can do this. That he can make this new change in his life work. He has been very inspiring throughout this whole thing about what positivity and perseverance can do.

Luke is an extremely talented Tig welder and works for an amazing company creating some pretty awesome things. He’s worked onTransformers, dragons, massive & complicated stage setups, and so much more! His co-workers have been extremely supportive and can’t wait for him to come back to work, which has kept Luke’s spirits up throughout this whole thing…he can’t wait to go back to work!

No one ever thinks that something like losing a limb will ever happen to them or a family member, so you never actually prepare for something as life-changing as this. It’s just something that happens. So we are asking for as much help as possible, even from strangers. Every dollar helps Luke reach his goal of getting a good prosthetic allowing him to continue his welding career and to also help ease the weight of his medical expenses and is accepted with so much gratitude.

Please help Luke raise enough money to get a pay for medical expenses to continue to live his life to the fullest and continue his love of welding. Thank you!!!