Help Our Caregiver, Brianna, Heal After a Life-Threatening Heart Attack

Every day we hear heartbreaking stories on the news—stories of families whose lives change in an instant. This time, that story isn’t happening to a stranger. It’s happening right here in our own community of Oak Harbor, Washington.

But together, our community has the opportunity to change the ending.

Instead of another heartbreaking story, let’s make this one a story of hope, compassion, and neighbors coming together to lift up one of our own just like our wonderful community does!

For more than 20 years, Brianna has dedicated her life to caring for others as a Certified Nursing Assistant. She has spent her career comforting patients, supporting families, and showing up every day with kindness, strength, and compassion. Those who know Brianna know she is the kind of person who puts everyone else before herself.

She is also an incredible wife and devoted mother to two amazing boys. One son has autism, ADHD, and an intellectual disability, while her other son has ADHD and a learning disability. Caring for children with complex needs requires endless patience, advocacy, love, and unwavering dedication—and Brianna has given them all of that every single day.

Even while managing her own health challenges, including lupus, Hashimoto’s disease, and adenomyosis, Brianna continued putting her family first.

Just three months ago, her husband underwent major reconstructive surgery, leaving Brianna to carry nearly every responsibility for their family. She worked full time as well as recently adding a part time caregiver position while caring for her recovering husband, raising their two sons, managing appointments, paying bills, handling property taxes, and keeping their household together.

Then everything changed.

On Thursday, July 16, 2026, Brianna suffered a life-threatening heart attack caused by familial hypercholesterolemia, a genetic condition that causes dangerously high cholesterol and significantly increases the risk of early heart disease.

Doctors discovered a critical blockage in her left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery—often called the “widowmaker” artery—and rushed her into emergency surgery to place a stent and restore blood flow to her heart.

Her doctors shared that had treatment been delayed much longer, Brianna may not have survived.

Although the procedure saved her life, she lost approximately 10% of her heart function.

Today, she faces a long road of healing that includes cardiology appointments, cardiac rehabilitation, medications, lifestyle changes, and most importantly, reducing stress so her heart has the best chance to recover.

Now the family faces another difficult reality.

Brianna’s husband lives with severe epilepsy, and stress is one of the biggest triggers for his seizures. As he cares for Brianna during her recovery while continuing to support their two children, the emotional and financial strain on their family has become overwhelming.

Brianna will be unable to work while she recovers, and the bills continue to arrive.

This fundraiser will help ease the financial burden so this family can focus on healing instead of worrying about how they will make ends meet.

Your donations will help cover:

• Hospital and emergency medical expenses

• Cardiology appointments and cardiac rehabilitation

• Prescription medications

• Household bills and utilities

• Property taxes

• Transportation to medical appointments

• Groceries and daily living expenses

• Lost income during Brianna’s recovery

• Continued support for their two sons

For over two decades, Brianna has been there for countless patients and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives.

Now it’s our turn to be there for her.

Whether you can give $10, $100, or simply share this fundraiser, every act of kindness makes a difference. Together, we can relieve some of the weight this family is carrying and give Brianna the gift of what she needs most right now—time to heal.

Let’s show Brianna and her family what the Oak Harbor community is made of.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your generosity, your prayers, and your support. Together, we can turn this frightening chapter into a story of hope, love, and a community that refused to let one of its own face this battle alone.