Support Lena’s Miracle Recovery & Keep Her Home Secure
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$17,973 raised of
168 donations
If you know Lena, you know exactly how full of life she is. She is incredibly witty, vibrant, and fiercely loving. Her husband Mark, her boys Anthony and Andrew (along with their wives, Allie and Crystal), and her five grandkids (Aryanna, Carmela, Isabella, Brayden, and Brynlee) are the absolute center of her world. On top of being a devoted grandma, Lena has spent the last 45 years - since June 1981 - pouring her heart and energy into the Deaf/CODA community as a deeply respected ASL interpreter.
Right now, Lena is putting all of that signature strength into the biggest fight of her life.
Early Saturday morning, Lena’s world was turned upside down when she faced a sudden, catastrophic cardiovascular crisis (a Type A Aortic Dissection) the absolute worst kind. She underwent a highly complex, 14-hour emergency open-heart surgery to repair her heart. While the repair itself went as planned, the medical team had to spend several hours working to stop her bleeding.
The trauma to her body was severe and the medical team informed us that she was unlikely to survive the night. Devastated and exhausted, our family gathered around her bedside at 2:00 a.m. Sunday morning to say our heartbreaking final goodbyes.
But Lena had other plans.
Against the odds, we woke up Sunday morning to an absolute miracle: she was still fighting for her life. It has been a complete emotional roller coaster for our family - navigating the highest highs and the lowest lows each hour.
Where Lena Stands Right Now
Lena is currently in the ICU at IU Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, where the incredible and heroic cardiovascular team is taking care of her. Her body has been through massive shock, enduring 4+ surgeries and extensive time in the OR in just her first 4 days there.
While she is currently stable, she is still on life support, and every single day is a fight for her life and recovery as her body begins the long process of healing. The roller coaster continues for us as we watch her fight day by day, but she is proving to us every morning just how much she has to live for.
This is going to be a long marathon, not a sprint.
Lena will be in the hospital for months, followed by extensive rehabilitation to rebuild her strength so she can get back home to the grandkids who miss her dearly, and doing what she loves, interpreting.
Because Lena is an I-9 independent contractor ASL interpreter, she does not have access to paid leave or FMLA. In her line of work, if you aren't working, there is zero income. We want to ensure that while Lena is focusing entirely on healing, she and Mark don't have the heavy burden of worrying about losing their home by falling behind on their mortgage, or facing mounting medical bills.
Lena has spent 45 years using her hands and her heart to give a voice to others. Now, it’s our turn to be hers.
We are launching this GoFundMe to help cover:
- Mortgage & Essential Bills: Keeping her home secure and expenses paid while she is completely without an income.
- Long-Term Medical Expenses: Navigating the massive ICU costs, deductibles, and co-pays.
- Rehabilitation: Ensuring this loving grandma has access to the best specialized care to rebuild her physical strength.
Any donation will directly ease the financial pressure on Lena and Mark so our family can focus 100% of our energy on being her advocates.
Meal Support (*NEW Addition*):
We have added the option to volunteer to prepare or send the family a meal via Meal Train here:
If you cannot donate, please share her story—especially within the Deaf / CODA / interpreting communities - and keep our vibrant mother, grandmother, friend and wife, Lena, in your strongest thoughts and prayers.
Thank you for the incredible outpouring of love. She is fighting, and we are right there with her.
We all love you, Lena!
