Hi, I'm Virginia Van Auken, writing this on behalf of the Fairfield cycling community and everyone who knows and loves Desmond, his mama Jennifer Lamothe-Doddema and their family. We're raising funds to support 11-year-old Desmond's healing and his family's recovery journey after a horrific bike-vehicle accident occurred late in the afternoon Wednesday, September 24th in Fairfield, Iowa. When Desmond was riding his bike along the Pleasant Plain Road bike trail crossing, he was struck by a pickup truck. 911 was called, and Desmond was life-flighted to the University of Iowa Hospitals with serious injuries.

Since the accident, Jennifer has been living at the U of I clinics with her infant, to be near Desmond as he undergoes multiple surgeries, procedures, and tests. Desmond’s grandma and grandpa, Siggi and Stan Lamothe, are helping care for another one of Desmond’s siblings at this time. This traumatic event has brought unimaginable hardship. It will take time for the full picture to be known and before this beloved local family is able to pick up the pieces. Desmond is in rough shape and will need to be in the hospital and then rehab for many weeks as he heals.

Now it's time to step up and support them however we can. While insurance is likely to cover many of the direct and immediate medical expenses, Desmond and his family have a long recovery road ahead. Your donation will help offset any uncovered medical costs and help ease some of the burden of their lives being turned upside-down all in one unthinkable instant. Funds will help with unforeseen costs such as replacing Jennifer's phone and Desmond’s bike, both of which were compromised in the crash, missed work, and other ongoing and anticipated expenses related the family's prolonged time away from home to support Desmond's healing, related travel expenses, and home care supplies.

Thank you so much for your help.