Help My Brother-in-Law, Don Orrell, Recover After a Devastating Accident

My brother-in-law, Don Orrell, who is married to my sister, Diane, was involved in a tragic accident that changed our family's lives in an instant.

On Thursday, while at his home in Sitka, Alaska,Don was cleaning his boat's 85-gallon fuel tank when it exploded, leaving Don with life-threatening injuries. After emergency surgery to remove his spleen and stop the internal bleeding, he was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, where he remains in the ICU. He has multiple fractures, including his lumbar spine, ribs — some broken in two places — facial fractures including his jaw and eye socket, shoulder injuries, plus burns and a collapsed lung. While he is stable, he faces an incredibly long and difficult road to recovery.

Don has spent the past 31 summers fishing in Alaska. He is one of the hardest-working, kindest, and most generous people you'll ever meet. He loves his family, his work, and the life he has built. If you've had the privilege of knowing Don, you know he's the kind of person who is always there to help others without expecting anything in return. He truly is one of the good ones.

When the explosion happened, my sister Diane and their daughter, Bella, were on their way to Sandy Beach. In a matter of moments, their lives were turned upside down.

Instead of spending the day together, they found themselves rushing to Seattle to be by Don's side. They are now living out of a hotel near Harborview Medical Center while Don fights to recover. Because it is peak travel season, the cost of lodging is overwhelming, and they have no idea how long they will need to stay.

They also had to leave everything behind in Sitka—including their beloved dog, Emma, their home, and even a refrigerator full of groceries. Like so many families facing an unexpected tragedy, their entire world has been put on hold.

The road ahead will be long.

Don is expected to face multiple surgeries, extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and months away from work. The financial burden is already significant and will continue to grow in the weeks and months ahead.

I'm starting this GoFundMe to help ease that burden so Diane and Bella can focus on what matters most—being by Don's side as he heals. Every donation, no matter the amount, will go toward hotel expenses, meals, travel, medical costs not covered by insurance, lost income, and the countless unexpected expenses that come with a tragedy like this.

If you're unable to donate, we completely understand. Sharing this fundraiser with your friends, family, and community would mean the world to us and would help us reach others who may be able to lend a hand.

On behalf of our entire family, thank you for your kindness, generosity, prayers, and support. We are deeply grateful for every act of compassion as Don begins the fight of his life.