Russ Reaves' Road to Recovery (& Family Support)

Update 4/20/23: Coming Home! See "update" section below.

Update 3/21/23: Russ and Donia have moved into the apartment together at Shepherd where they will stay while he completes outpatient therapy. Please note new address in "update" section below.

Update 3/16/23: Thank you for prayers and support for getting Russ into Shepherd Center. Not only was he accepted and was able to go March 3, but he is progressing rapidly to their outpatient program! Read the update in the "update" section for more details!

Update 2/26/23: Please help us support Russ and get him to a brain rehab center for as long as is needed for his recovery. We are so thankful that brain rehab is a possibility, as the future was so uncertain when this was originally published!

Background (written 2/14/23):

On January 26, 2023, Russ (an avid runner) was fitting in a morning run before starting a long day of meetings for his job as a Great Commission Catalyst for the NC Southern Baptist Convention. He collapsed and was unresponsive and suffered multiple facial fractures from the sudden fall. Bystanders started and continued CPR until EMS could arrive. At the emergency room, it was discovered that Russ had suffered a cardiac arrest. A stint was placed following a catheterization and sutures addressed the immediate superficial wounds from the fall.

Brain Injury

As we are currently entering the third week of hospitalization (more than two weeks of which was in ICU), the road to recovery is still a steep hill ahead. CPR was performed for approximately twenty minutes, which likely means there are brain injuries from lack of oxygen (hypoxic / anoxic injury) as well as from two minor strokes which could have occurred during the CPR or the catheterization. It is also likely he has a TBI from the initial impact of his collapse. At the time of writing, Russ has been moved to Long Term Acute Care within Cone Hospital to be weaned from the trach/ventilator as his family and care team anxiously wait for increased signs of responsiveness and purposeful movement. We pray for healing and restoration, but it will be a long and complicated journey - and unfortunately, as his wife (my sister) Donia begins to receive the hospital bills, it is clear it will also be a very expensive journey.

Russ and His Family

Anyone who knows Russ knows he loves his family and is fiercely protective over his wife, Donia, and their two children, Salem and Solomon. Donia is a stay-at-home mom who has homeschooled their children and actively (though always quietly without drawing attention to herself) serves those around her constantly with a generous and giving heart. Solomon is a senior at UNC-Chapel Hill, and Salem will join him as a Tarheel next fall. Russ has pastored several churches throughout his ministry, including Conowingo Baptist Church in Maryland, Hillcrest Baptist Church in Kernersville, and Immanuel Baptist Church in Greensboro. He has always been passionate about missions, and God called him to a missions position with the NC Southern Baptist Convention - though he continued to preach throughout NC as he felt compelled to share God's word and give respite to pastors as he was able. If he could communicate it at this time, Russ would undoubtedly be trying to take care of his family, and that is part of what we are hoping to help him do through this gofundme.

Please support Russ and the family now so they will have the resources to pay the extensive medical bills (and other related expenses) and pursue rehabilitation at a brain injury treatment center if that becomes a viable option. And please, please pray that it WILL become a viable option and a step in God's plan to bring healing and restoration to both Russ's body AND mind. 

The goal we have set is huge (and I know Russ and Donia would hate that we are even doing this at all), but we know the needs will be huge - regardless of the specific steps of the journey and whatever the ultimate outcome. Any small amount will help and will also provide a boost of love and encouragement for Donia, Salem, and Solomon. Thank you all for your prayers and love for the family. We hope you do not feel any obligation to give but that you would feel compelled to pray. Please pray for healing for Russ, endurance and strength for Donia, and comfort and encouragement for the whole family.

Thank you!

I know Donia would also want me to take a moment to thank everyone who has been so supportive so far, including Russ's family as well as his work family at the NC Southern Baptist Convention, and all family and friends, past church members from his time as a pastor, and all the healthcare team who have been involved in his care to this point and those who will do so in the future. Most importantly however, she is thanking and trusting God throughout . . . thankful we are promised of His love and care for us and that we can approach Him in prayer for the desires of our heart . . . which right now is for healing and restoration. Thank you for reading and being a part of this team. And since none of us (besides Russ) are active on social media, please share and help get the word out!