Support the Goeller Family
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Mike Goeller is the owner of Brightview Cleaning, and a regular contributor to eClean Magazine. In 2015, Mike and his wife, Austria, were expecting their first child, Laith, when they learned during a routine sonogram that their unborn son was diagnosed with Critical Aortic Stenosis with Evolving Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, a severe congenital heart defect that would require lifelong treatment and multiple surgeries.
The Goellers immediately searched for the best doctors to treat Laith after birth, which led them to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio – located over about 6.5 hours away – which specializes in treating children with heart conditions like Laith’s.
Over the course of 2015 to 2016, the Goellers have spent nearly eight months at the hospital in Ohio, in addition to countless doctor and hospital visits locally in Maryland. In September, Laith had major surgery in Ohio to reroute the blood flow between his heart and lungs, and the family is hopeful that this will successfully improve his oxygen levels. The Goellers have spent most of the past two months at Ohio hospital and the local Ronald McDonald House.
Spending this much time away from home would be difficult for anyone, but especially a small business owner. This past spring, Mike had just enough time to train one new employee before leaving for the hospital. Mike planned for his new hire to hold down the fort while Mike was away. However, less than a week before the most recent surgery, Mike’s employee took another job. This left the Goellers with no one to accomplish work for Brightview during some of the busiest weeks of the year.
As you can imagine, all of this creates financial challenges. While the family has great health insurance, the copays and deductible add up quickly. Additionally, there are expenses associated with travelling between Maryland and Ohio on a regular basis. However, the greatest strain is created by losing the revenue from eight months of missed work over the past two years, all during the busy season.
Several industry members have asked how they can help Mike and his family. I was contacted by several of Mike’s friends, and we agreed to start this GoFundMe page to help support the Goellers during this emotionally and financially challenging time. We intentionally set the fundraising goal higher than what we expect to raise because we didn’t want to discourage anyone from giving if they felt led to do so. Also, donations of any amount are encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Finally, any funds raised that go beyond the Goeller’s needs will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House, which has become the Goellers second home during the past two years.
The Goellers immediately searched for the best doctors to treat Laith after birth, which led them to Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio – located over about 6.5 hours away – which specializes in treating children with heart conditions like Laith’s.
Over the course of 2015 to 2016, the Goellers have spent nearly eight months at the hospital in Ohio, in addition to countless doctor and hospital visits locally in Maryland. In September, Laith had major surgery in Ohio to reroute the blood flow between his heart and lungs, and the family is hopeful that this will successfully improve his oxygen levels. The Goellers have spent most of the past two months at Ohio hospital and the local Ronald McDonald House.
Spending this much time away from home would be difficult for anyone, but especially a small business owner. This past spring, Mike had just enough time to train one new employee before leaving for the hospital. Mike planned for his new hire to hold down the fort while Mike was away. However, less than a week before the most recent surgery, Mike’s employee took another job. This left the Goellers with no one to accomplish work for Brightview during some of the busiest weeks of the year.
As you can imagine, all of this creates financial challenges. While the family has great health insurance, the copays and deductible add up quickly. Additionally, there are expenses associated with travelling between Maryland and Ohio on a regular basis. However, the greatest strain is created by losing the revenue from eight months of missed work over the past two years, all during the busy season.
Several industry members have asked how they can help Mike and his family. I was contacted by several of Mike’s friends, and we agreed to start this GoFundMe page to help support the Goellers during this emotionally and financially challenging time. We intentionally set the fundraising goal higher than what we expect to raise because we didn’t want to discourage anyone from giving if they felt led to do so. Also, donations of any amount are encouraged and greatly appreciated.
Finally, any funds raised that go beyond the Goeller’s needs will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House, which has become the Goellers second home during the past two years.
Organizer and beneficiary
Allison Hill Hester
Organizer
North Little Rock, AR
Michael Goeller
Beneficiary