Critical Recovery & Support Fund for a Survivor and Psychology Student in Crisis

A 36-year-old woman is currently in the Intensive Care Unit fighting for her life after developing a rare and aggressive bacterial infection known as necrotizing fasciitis. What began just two weeks ago as hip pain quickly spiraled into nausea, vomiting, and severe systemic illness. The infection originated from an unseen laceration that became infected, and only the odor from the wound finally alerted her to seek emergency care.

Upon arrival to the ER, both the attending physician and nurse immediately recognized the severity of her condition and began preparing her and her loved ones for the worst. After imaging and lab work, their fears were confirmed. She was life-flighted to a trauma hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery within hours.

In just five days, she has undergone three major debridement surgeries, losing significant tissue. Her doctors have said that had she waited even one more day to seek treatment, she would not have survived. She now faces a long and complex recovery involving IV antibiotics, wound vac therapy, diabetic management, physical rehabilitation, and multiple follow-up procedures.

Her existing health conditions complicate her healing:

• Type I Diabetes (recently reclassified)

• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

• Severe Chronic Neuropathy

• Legal blindness in her left eye, moderate impairment in her right

• Rare genetic eye disease under evaluation (three possible diagnoses, two currently in clinical trials)

• PTSD and neurodivergent challenges

Before this crisis, she was a full-time Psychology major in college, studying trauma and mental health to better understand and help others like herself. She was relocated, living with family, and working while attending school.

Her medical insurance lapsed following the recent move, and she is currently self-pay, making this life-saving care and follow-up treatment an overwhelming financial burden. She will require frequent travel for wound care, rehabilitation, and genetic specialist appointments — but she cannot drive due to her severe vision impairment.

Beyond her medical story lies a lifetime of perseverance. She is a survivor of more than 20 years of domestic violence, childhood trauma related to addiction, loss, and abandonment. She has endured the deaths of loved ones from overdose and has lived much of her life feeling orphaned — yet she continues to show the world compassion, loyalty, and love. She has never been married and has no biological children, yet she is deeply cherished by the children and animals she’s cared for throughout her life.

Those who know her describe her as selfless, kind, empathetic, forgiving, and deeply human — a woman who gives without expectation, listens without judgment, and finds hope in music even on her darkest days.

Now, she needs our compassion in return.

This fund will help cover essential medications, wound supplies, medical bills, fuel, food, and critical travel for ongoing care and rehabilitation. Every contribution directly supports her and her family as they navigate the long road to recovery.

Your generosity can help give her a fighting chance — not only to heal physically, but to reclaim her future, her education, and her sense of safety in the world.

She has already been supported in reapplying for insurance with hospital social workers for expedited help and will be applying for food assistance (Govt Shutdown delay) and scheduling an appointment to apply for SSI/SSDI.

Currently, daily fuel for a 5-hour round trip, cafeteria food, hourly parking, and all comfortable amenities are depleted.

The recovery road and financial burden will continue even when insurance, food assistance, and supplemental disability get approved.

Chels relocated to little ole Belle, MO, to rebuild herself and find peace in her previously tumultuous world.

She has been doing that beautifully and impacts folks daily behind her register at Casey's.

A very educated and resilient woman attending school while working and juggling health just got the wind knocked from her sails.

All and any help is greatly appreciated for her during this time.

Cards Letters Gifts can be sent to

409 Lindner Lane Belle MO 65013

She is currently in room 7647 in Barnes in STL

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These are also available upon request if GoFundMe is not your forte.