My best friend of 25 years, Kate, was involved in a life-threatening accident nearly five weeks ago. She was hit by a vehicle while crossing the street to return home.

Kate was rushed to the ER in critical condition and spent four days in the ICU. She was placed on a ventilator due to an induced coma and bleeding in her brain. She suffered a skull fracture, a fractured right eye socket (doctors had to lance her eyelid to relieve dangerous pressure), a right wrist fracture, and a left ankle fracture.

In true Kate fashion, she fought hard. She came off the ventilator on her second day in ICU, moved to a regular hospital room on day five, and was soon strong enough to begin intensive rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s in Phoenix. Over the next 2½ weeks in rehab, she worked tirelessly, regained vision in both eyes, and thankfully did not need surgery for her eye socket. She also received stitches to her forehead and right knee as her body continued to heal.

Kate still faces a long recovery. Her right wrist and left ankle fractures are still healing, and she cannot put weight on her right leg. She’s learning to get around with a walker and scooter, and she has begun outpatient speech, occupational, and physical therapy twice a week. On November 19th, she was finally able to return home to continue her recovery!

Many of you have reached out asking how you can help. Kate is incredibly modest and doesn’t want anyone to feel obligated, but she does have significant out-of-pocket medical expenses ahead of her. Managing these bills on top of recovering from a brain injury is overwhelming.

This GoFundMe is simply an option for anyone who feels moved to support her during this time. There is absolutely no pressure to donate. Your messages, love, prayers, and shares mean just as much and have carried her through the hardest moments.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for supporting Kate as she works toward a full recovery. I feel unbelievably grateful that she’s here with us, and I know so many of you feel the same.