Support Asna and Daughters After Mike's Passing

Remembering Michael: A Devoted Husband, Loving Father, Brilliant Mind, and Cherished Friend

Father. Husband. Son. Brother. Tech Innovator. Friend. Student. Leader. Chief Information Officer. These words only begin to capture the essence of Michael Jefferies — a truly remarkable person whose vibrant life and sense of adventure was tragically cut short entirely too soon.

With his cherished wife Asna and his daughter, Alia, the family had recently embarked on another grand adventure: a transcontinental relocation to Haarlem in the Netherlands. They were settling into life in a new country, exploring a new culture, beginning new schools, and Mike was flourishing in a new job as the CIO at St. Antonius Hospital in Amsterdam. No one was more thrilled with these amazing and challenging experiences than Mike. After all - what an adventure to be had. Unfortunately, their world was forever changed when Mike, 45 years young, passed away with his family at his side on April 1 after a brief hospitalization.

To know Mike was to feel his love for his family especially his wife and children, Avery and Alia. It was a privilege if he considered you a friend – because you got to know his sense of humor, see his impish grin, experience his motorcycle and camping escapades, learn to fix a historic car, ski the Colorado mountains, and learn all sorts of things (like business math) from him. Mike had a warmth, an intelligence that knew no bounds, and an unwavering kindness. You were lucky, indeed, to be a member of his circle of friends.

The suddenness of Mike’s passing has been a devastating blow. His family was just getting settled into their new life - and are now learning to live this new “normal” which will never be normal again. Mike’s death has left Asna and the girls facing unimaginable grief while facing logistical and financial challenges. They are oceans and miles away from their former home in Colorado and their established support system.

Mike had recently completed his Doctor of Public Health at the University of North Carolina GIllings School of Global Health. He was the 2nd person in cohort 16 (C16) - “the COVID cohort” - to defend his dissertation and graduate, a milestone celebrated by those of us who deeply feel his absence. As his C16 classmates and friends – we asked his family a simple question: How can we help?

We rally . . . we uplift his family . . .and we provide practical support during this challenging time.

This GoFundMe campaign has been established by his C16 classmates to help ease the immediate and long-term challenges facing Asna and the girls. Your contribution will directly assist Mike’s family with the costs associated with his passing and to bring him home for a Celebration of Life in Colorado this summer. We aim to raise $50,000 to help Asna navigate unforeseen expenses in the Netherlands and provide assistance for his girls toward their future needs.

Mike’s love for Asna and his daughters and family knew no bounds. While we miss him terribly, we trust in the knowledge that Mike was well-loved, packed a lot of life in his 45 years, and had exceptionally deep and rich connections.

Help us honor Mike and support the family he so cherished. Your kindness, no matter the size, will make a big impact and tangible difference for Asna and the girls as they navigate this heartbreaking journey.

Emily Taylor Cimini, Jennifer Burns and Diane R. Johnson Grant

Members of Cohort 16

UNC Gillings