Rubin Wells needs our help!

Hi, my name is Rebecca Rutledge. Thanks for reading this.

On March 20 of this year, Rubin Wells suffered a catastrophic tractor accident that almost took his life.

An airlift rushed him to Plano, where his leg was saved in an emergency surgery. But doctors said it could be three months before he'd walk again.

That was more than five months ago.

An infection sent him back to the hospital soon after he was released, and more complications ensued. He's had more than one stint in the ICU.

Despite the tremendous physical and emotional trauma Rubin has suffered, his warmth and cheer have endured. It's traits like these that have endeared him to so many players (and parents of players) in our chess community.

Through it all, Rubin has had the support of his wife, Cindy, brother Bruce and the rest of his family. But he could use your support, too. With every hospital visit, every operation, every emergency procedure, his medical expenses increase, as does the weight of their burden on his family.

Rubin is getting better. We can all look forward to the happy day when he shows up to play in a tournament. In the meantime, we have a big opportunity to help him. We can't ease his physical pain, but we can do something about the financial pain this accident has caused. And in doing so we'll remind him that his friends have not forgotten him, that he means a lot to us and we're pulling for him to recover.

Have you met Rubin? In case you haven't...

Rubin Wells has touched many lives in his roles as a chess player and tournament director. New players who faced him across the board will remember how encouraged he made us feel, no matter how well we played. His gentle nature and constant kindness have added so much to our chess community. He is a model of sportsmanship and integrity, with a smile and kind words for everyone he meets.

If you know Rubin, you've already decided to help. If you've never met him, please add your support to ours and look forward to the day when you can meet him at a tournament. When that day comes, I promise you'll be so glad you helped.

A donation in any amount will make a difference. Please take a moment right now to do two things:

1. Donate what you can (no amount is too small).

2. Share this fundraiser so others can help, too.

Thank you! Check back for updates. Very soon, I just know we'll have good news. –Rebecca Rutledge