Nephew Recovering from Flesh-Eating Bacteria

Our names are David and Jennifer McAtee and we truly appreciate you taking a moment to read our nephew's story. Our family has been blindsided by a tragic turn of events that occurred days before Christmas this year - our nephew almost lost his life due to a flesh-eating bacteria. We want to show our support to him and his parents by helping with covering some living expenses for the family so they don't need to worry about it while they focus on their son's care.

On 12/22/23, our 7-year old nephew Lucas woke up with pain in his right leg, near the knee. It was enough that he was limping. He had been battling fevers and vomiting earlier that week. His dad took him to the ER because this was a new symptom while Lucas was still sick. From there, things only got worse when Lucas' vitals started showing abnormalities and he continued to be dehydrated despite fluids. They started to become concerned when tests came back positive for Influenza A, Strep, and Rhinovirus. Lucas began to become less stable and needed to be transferred to the Children's Hospital an hour away. After being transferred to the city, Lucas' condition took a turn for the worse and a rare complication was diagnosed - a flesh-eating bacteria that was rapidly resulting in necrotic tissue. Surgeons took Lucas back for emergency life-saving surgery at about 10 PM the night of 12/22/2023. They needed to quickly remove necrotic tissue in his right leg from his knee all the way up to his hip. Lucas then had a second surgery the next morning. The surgeries have left him with massive open wounds and Lucas will now need to have extensive skin grafting on his leg and other areas before he can leave the hospital. At this time, it's estimated he will be in the hospital for about 2 months. Lucas was looking forward to Christmas this year, and unfortunately, he was fighting for his life instead.

Any money that is donated will be going to Lucas' parents, Jake (Jennifer's brother) and Jessica Banman to help them with general living costs so that they can focus their time and energy on Lucas' recovery in the weeks to come. 

Any amount that you are willing to give to help Lucas and his family is greatly appreciated, and if you cannot contribute money at this time, a share to your friends and family would mean the world to us as well. Sincerely, David & Jennifer McAtee