Tess Pratt is a beloved teacher at Chapin High School, known for always reaching out to help others—even when she has her own challenges to face. Now, Tess and her family need our support as they navigate an incredibly difficult journey with her daughter, Riley.

Riley had no major medical concerns until her junior year of high school, but since then, she has faced a relentless series of health challenges. She missed her high school graduation due to illness, and despite countless doctor, urgent care, and hospital visits, as well as appointments with specialists out of state, Riley persevered and graduated magna cum laude from the University of South Carolina with a degree in psychology in December. Sadly, she was unable to walk across the stage to accept her diploma, as she spent her graduation day in the hospital battling sepsis. Riley then lost the ability to use her legs and was sent to a rehabilitation center, where she learned to use a wheelchair. The Pratt family had to reconfigure their home to accommodate a hospital bed, and Riley was released to go home on New Year's Eve, beginning her journey navigating life in a wheelchair.

On January 16, Riley developed a fever and was taken to the ER as a precaution. Her symptoms worsened, and she was placed in ICU/Critical Care, where she became unresponsive on two occasions. After being discharged on January 21, Riley became unresponsive again at home the next day, prompting Tess to call 911 and perform CPR on her daughter. Riley is back in ICU. The family is now facing many uncertainties and a long road ahead. These funds will help pay for mounting medical bills and expenses as they seek a team of experts outside of Columbia who can work together to get to the root cause of Riley's health concerns. If you are able to make a financial contribution, it will be deeply appreciated. Your prayers, positive thoughts, and support mean the world to the Pratt family.