Help Support Sarah and Jon after Ian's Loss
Donation protected
It is with profound sorrow that we mourn the passing of Ian Van Sweden, loving son, grandson, brother, cousin, student, and friend. Ian died tragically after complications resulting from a massive blood clot to his heart. He was surrounded by his family throughout his entire 3-day ordeal in the hospital as doctors tirelessly fought to save his life after he collapsed unexpectedly on Thursday afternoon. Jon and Sarah and sisters Sarjke (16), Gillian (15), Callan (13) and Catriona (10) said goodbye to this beautiful boy on April 18th at 12:15 a.m.
Ian was 6 weeks shy of his 18th birthday. He endured a lot in his young life having suffered from a congenital heart defect from birth. He soldiered through 3 corrective surgeries in his too-short life, including the one that most recently attempted to save his life. Ian always faced these challenges with grace, with humor and with a wisdom that was far beyond his tender years. He is best remembered for his goofy, fun-loving attitude towards life and for the big-brotherly way in which he cared for his little sisters.
The journey for Ian's family is far from over. We are asking for your generosity in helping them to rebuild their lives after this tragedy. We all understand that there is so very little we can do to ease their suffering - this is the journey they will have to face together. However, we can address their practical needs by allowing them the space and time they will need to grieve, to heal and to move forward.
The medical and burial expenses beyond insurance are undetermined at this early date, but we know they will be significant. Beyond this, Sarah will need to leave work for an extended period of time in order to tend to the needs of Ian's four younger sisters. We can give Ian's family the gift of support, time and freedom from the pressures of the rest of life's unrelenting demands by relieving for a time the stress of these financial burdens. No amount is too small and all funds will go directly to the family to meet these needs.
Thank you for anything you can do for Sarah, Jon and their girls.....
With Love and Gratitude,
The friends of the Schmiedicke-Van Swedens
Ian was 6 weeks shy of his 18th birthday. He endured a lot in his young life having suffered from a congenital heart defect from birth. He soldiered through 3 corrective surgeries in his too-short life, including the one that most recently attempted to save his life. Ian always faced these challenges with grace, with humor and with a wisdom that was far beyond his tender years. He is best remembered for his goofy, fun-loving attitude towards life and for the big-brotherly way in which he cared for his little sisters.
The journey for Ian's family is far from over. We are asking for your generosity in helping them to rebuild their lives after this tragedy. We all understand that there is so very little we can do to ease their suffering - this is the journey they will have to face together. However, we can address their practical needs by allowing them the space and time they will need to grieve, to heal and to move forward.
The medical and burial expenses beyond insurance are undetermined at this early date, but we know they will be significant. Beyond this, Sarah will need to leave work for an extended period of time in order to tend to the needs of Ian's four younger sisters. We can give Ian's family the gift of support, time and freedom from the pressures of the rest of life's unrelenting demands by relieving for a time the stress of these financial burdens. No amount is too small and all funds will go directly to the family to meet these needs.
Thank you for anything you can do for Sarah, Jon and their girls.....
With Love and Gratitude,
The friends of the Schmiedicke-Van Swedens
Organizer and beneficiary
Dian Schmiedicke
Organizer
Front Royal, VA
Sarah Schmiedicke
Beneficiary