IMPORTANT DONOR INFORMATION

I need to start with GoFundMe donation process before I share Doug and Carrie’s story.

GoFundMe automatically adds their own tip (often 15-17%) at checkout and may default to monthly recurring donations, which we have no control to change. However, these defaults can be controlled by each donor and can be changed to fit your intention. These fees go to GoFundMe as their operating revenue, not to Doug and Carrie's care fund.

To ensure your full donation reaches this family:

1. Look for the "GoFundMe tip" section during checkout

2. Select "Other" and enter $0 or any other amount you determine (this is completely acceptable and expected)

3. Make sure "One-time donation" is selected instead of "Monthly"

4. If you would like to donate monthly, please be aware the recurring option charges an additional 5% fee per donation

If you have already donated with unintended parameters:

1. Go to your email receipt>Click Manage or Cancel Your Monthly Donation” > make the intended changes, or

2. Sign into your GoFundMe account >Select Your Impact>Scroll to Fundraisers You Support>Your Donations>Receipt > make the intended changes

3. Here is a link to request a refund for your tip amount: https://support.gofundme.com/hc/requests/new?ticket_form_id=4946054697115

Your donation receipt will show the breakdown. The only fee that applies to Doug's care is the standard 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee that all platforms charge.

It is important we communicated this information first to all donors, so each gift is given exactly how you intend.

Why the campaign was created…

On March 29th, our dad, Doug Free, suffered from a massive MCA Ischemic Stroke, caused by an unexpected cardiac clot that traveled to his left carotid vein and cut off oxygen to his brain. He was rushed to the hospital where he had emergency Thrombectomy surgery. He was admitted to the Neuro Trauma ICU and fought through complications that no family ever expects to face. Before this, he was completely independent; hiking, traveling, working, and spending time with his daughters and grandchildren.

In the days following the stroke, Doug was moved out of the ICU but continued to have trouble with speech and limited mobility of the right side. He is re-learning basic speech, mobility, decision making and simple day to day tasks. Rehabilitation will coincide with extensive and ongoing physical, occupational, and speech therapy. He will need increased levels of support for personal care, safety, and routine tasks for an extended period of time. Since the recovery process is long and expensive, we are asking for financial support to help cover medical bills and home health therapy costs.

Our parents, Doug and Carrie, recently retired and moved to Kingsport, TN to be closer to family. Living on a fixed income has already required careful budgeting, and the transition has been made more challenging by several unexpected home repair projects that have added financial strain during this new chapter of life.

How Your Support Helps

While managing the emotional reality of the circumstances that have taken place, our mom, Carrie, has taken on the care taker role to ensure Doug's health, safety, and recovery go well everyday. Caregiving at this level takes a significant physical and emotional toll. This campaign will, in large part, support Carrie as she continues to care for Doug, ensuring she has help, can rest, and has the resources needed to sustain both herself and Doug during this journey.

Since the diagnosis of the stroke, we (daughters) have stepped into roles no young adults expect to carry so early. We are helping manage finances, schedules, research, and logistics. We continue to advocate for our father, support our mother, and share responsibility for navigating the circumstances ahead, all while working and building our own lives in North Carolina.

We are raising $30,000 to support Doug and Carrie as they navigate this recovery, with a primary focus on professional care, comfort, and the ability to make thoughtful decisions as Doug's needs increase.

We are walking through this season with faith and trust that God is guiding every step. Even in the uncertainty, we are holding onto hope.

If you can donate, no amount is too small. Every dollar amounts for something, whether it is help with professional care, groceries, or travel expenses. If you can't donate please share. Every share reaches people who may want to help but don't yet know the needs exist. We are thankful for every prayer, kind word and act of support. Your generosity means more than we can put into words.

Thank you for taking the time to read their story, sharing it, and helping our family continue forward with strength, faith and perserverence.

With deep gratitude,

The Free Family