Hello! Our names are Katelyn Blanke, Justine McDermott, Becca Blanke, Theresa Blanke, McKendree Ward, & Madison Ward. We are the sisters of Mary Blanke, who is a survivor of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, NC. Mary’s hometown is in Newburgh/Evansville Indiana, though for the past several years, she’s been a travel nurse working in a hospitals all over the country. Most recently, she’s been in Asheville, NC and was caught in the flooding & aftermath of the hurricane at the end of last week. She’s dedicated her life to helping others, even going to Africa this summer to be a nurse in a hospital there. Mary knows no stranger. This weekend, she lost everything, escaping her home with the clothes on her back & her phone to get to the roof & wait for rescue. We are so grateful for all the prayers & ways people have reached out, & are most grateful for her life. She is one of the bravest people we know, & her faith has carried her through. She sang while standing on the roof to comfort herself & others because that’s just the type of person she is. Mary was taken in by a very kind couple for shelter that first night & is now at the hospital where she works for shelter. She is safe & dry. This all being said, she’s lost all of her possessions & essentials, including her car being submerged. We don’t know what insurance might or might not help her with, but there are things she needs including medicine, clothes, & other essentials, not to mention things down the road to replace. Many people have reached out asking for ways to help, so we’ve created this page. Please also consider saying a prayer or sending an encouraging message or thought, as that personal connection is what fills Mary’s soul. Please continue sending prayers & love to her & all others affected by this tragedy.