Seeking Support for Rex and Donna #nanastrong

Hi, my name is Christa Twining, and I am fundraising for my son, Connor's, Grandmother (Nana), Donna Penhollow. Donna has been hospitalized in the critical care unit since Tuesday, January 18th, 2022. Sadly, after only a few days in the hospital, Donna's condition worsened and as of January 21st she was placed on a ventilator. Her husband of 44 years, Rex, was diagnosed with covid a few weeks prior and has been out of work ever since. Rex will continue to be out of work so he is able to be with and support his wife while she fights for her life, as time is beginning to run out.

Donna and Rex have been a part of my life for a little over 20 years. I first met them in 2002 not long after my own mother passed away. Right away Donna reassured me that I could always go to her “if I ever needed anything, big or small.” Although their son and I parted ways, they continued to not only be amazing grandparents to Connor but they have always treated me as family. Donna and Rex are the textbook definition of the World's Greatest Grandparents. They never missed an opportunity to cheer on Connor over the years in the various sports that he participated in. I got remarried in 2016 and their love and support has never waivered. Not only did they attend our wedding but they have been nothing but supportive of the family we have built. So much so that our daughters call them Nana and Papa.

Donna's life got turned upside down 2 years ago when she was hospitalized for dizziness and confusion. It was at this time the doctors found out she was septic and eventually diagnosed her with necrotizing fasciitis in her lower leg. This is an aggressive form of a bacterial infection and in a matter of days it rapidly spread up her leg. This led Donna to months of being in the hospital forgoing painful debridements, and multiple skin grafts all while not being able to see family due to the pandemic. By the grace of God, her leg was saved despite the grim prognosis given by the doctors. She fought long and hard in order to return home in hopes of returning to Laketran where she was a driver for 23 years. During this time of fighting, her colleagues gave their support to Donna by donating their own PTO time, so Donna could have longer to fully recover. Despite their best efforts she was never cleared to return to work and was forced to retire early.

By this time medical bills were piling up. Dealing with forced retirement and these medical bills, Donna's life insurance policy lapsed because it was provided through her employer. Obviously Donna and Rex never expected the current situation to happen and because of her medical history, they were unable to secure an affordable life insurance policy. Due to this, it has compounded the stress and financial burden that Rex is experiencing and greatly affecting his ability to focus 100% on being there for the love of his life.

With all that Donna and Rex have done for me, I'm hoping to be able to raise enough money to help relieve some financial burden on Rex. He is currently out of PTO time and will soon be required to take unpaid FMLA so he is able to be with Donna. I hope in some small way this will help repay all the love and support they not only have shown me but countless others over the years.

The family is continuing to pray for a miracle despite the Doctors informing us to prepare for the worst. Any amount donated will be truly appreciated, even if you can only donate prayers. Thank you for all of your support.