Imagine discovering that the home you’ve owned and lived in for 22 years—the place where you feel safest and most content—has become toxic to you. That’s exactly what happened to our dear friend and neighbor, Alison Elward, a long-time resident of Blacksburg and a generous, compassionate member of our community.

After experiencing mysterious and escalating health issues over several years, Alison discovered mold in the crawl space of her home. Following a series of unrelated diagnoses, this exposure has triggered a severe, debilitating sensitivity in her body—not just to the spores, but to the tiny airborne mycotoxins they produce. The effects have been devastating. Alison and her dog Mac (pictured) have had to move out of their home, and after reacting to anything upholstered or made of fabric, paper, or untreated wood that was in her home (clothing, bedding, towels, furniture, books, etc.), it’s become painfully clear that she will need to replace nearly everything she owns in order to begin healing, once she resolves housing.

Alison has pursued every path of testing, treatment, diagnosis, and medicinal approaches, many uncovered by insurance and paid out of pocket. She must continue working full-time to maintain health insurance, all while navigating doctors’ appointments, contractor visits, and an overwhelming to-do list and scrupulous protocols on basic day-to-day things we all take for granted, just to survive. She’s unsure whether she’ll be able to return to her home due to how sensitive she has become—while contractors work in the space for hours without protective gear and without any health issues, Alison experiences intense physical symptoms in her own home.

She needs help to start rebuilding. I’ve created this GoFundMe so that we can support Alison through this incredibly difficult time. Ways our community can help:

· Donate funds to help with housing, medical expenses not covered by insurance, replacing clothing and other essential belongings, and offsetting ongoing expenses as she navigates health recovery and home repair;

· Offer a short-term, dog-friendly place to stay — even a guest house or vacation rental could be a lifeline during this transition while her home is being remediated;

· Share this GoFundMe with others who might be able to help.

Every dollar helps Alison breathe a little easier—literally and figuratively.

If you know Alison, you already know how much love, energy, and generosity she gives to others. She’s the person who offers to walk your dog when you're sick, shares thoughtful gifts and flowers from her own garden (pictured) “just because,” and remembers your birthday.

Now, it’s our turn to show up for her. Let’s help Alison reclaim her health, home, and peace of mind. No contribution is too small—and even if you can’t donate financially, Alison will eventually be accepting household items that could help her rebuild.

Let’s show her the same love she’s shown so many. Thank you.