HELP SUPPORT KYLE IN HIS TIME OF NEED

My son, Kyle Sturmer, is someone who embraces life with an open heart, enthusiasm, and an unstoppable spirit. Grateful for every moment, no matter the challenge, he remains positive, always uplifting and inspiring those around him.

For the past several months, Kyle has been training to become a firefighter - committed to personal and professional growth, and serving his community. His efforts not only reflect his character but also set an example of what it means to strive for the betterment of oneself through helping others.

But on March 9th, everything changed in an instant. Due to an unforeseen and misdiagnosed medical condition, Kyle was airlifted from St Peter’s Hospital in Olympia to Swedish Hospital in Seattle, where he underwent emergency surgery to repair a life-threatening 4 inch esophageal tear by placing a metal stent, treating both collapsed lungs and inserting a feeding tube, which he is expected to have for several months. He underwent a total of 3 surgeries, suffered a cardiac arrest due to lack of oxygen to his heart, spent two weeks in the ICU on a ventilator and one week in IMCU, fighting for his life through immense pain and uncertainty.

While we are endlessly grateful for the incredible care he received from a team of thoracic surgeons and infectious disease doctors that saved his life, his journey to recovery is far from over, as he must undergo two more surgeries before he can fully begin his recovery journey. Meanwhile, the financial burden of mounting medical bills and everyday living expenses has become overwhelming. Per his doctors, due to the nature of his injuries and the recovery time, it’s likely he’ll be out of work for the remainder of 2025, making it nearly impossible to keep up with his rent, car payment, insurance, and other essential costs. As his mother, it is heartbreaking to watch him endure not only the physical and emotional toll of this ordeal but also the added stress of financial hardship. Our family is doing everything we can to help ease the financial burden that Kyle faces, however there’s only so much we can do.

We understand that times are tough for many families, so we do not ask for help lightly. But if you are able, any contribution—no matter how small—would mean the world to Kyle and our family. Your generosity would provide him the chance to focus fully on his healing without the added stress of financial insecurity. Please know that your support gives Kyle strength and hope.

From the bottom of my heart, we thank you for standing with Kyle during this incredibly difficult time.

With gratitude,

Stacy ❤️