Last night, my sister Violet went to the ER with severe leg pain she had never felt before. Our mother tried to call her this morning to check in, but Violet didn’t answer. While my mom was in church, she received a call that changed our lives forever—Violet was in the ICU on a ventilator. She had suffered a pulmonary embolism. The pain in her leg was a massive clot that traveled from her leg to her lungs, and then broke off and went to her heart. She arrived at the hospital gasping for air and coded multiple times within 30 minutes. Right now, she is sedated and paralyzed, and we are taking things day by day.

Our family rushed from all over Wisconsin to be by her side. I drove from Wausaukee, our mother came from the Tomah area, and Violet’s niece (my oldest) drove from Madison. While I have four other children at home and couldn’t stay in Green Bay, our mother is staying at the hospital with Violet. This means she is missing work until Violet is better, and she has limited money for food and gas for her friend to bring her things she needs.

I am starting this fundraiser first and foremost for Violet, as she faces a long recovery and we do not yet know the extent of the damage. As we all know, insurance doesn’t cover everything. Any funds raised will go toward Violet’s medical bills, and anything left will help our mother with her bills and food while she stays at the hospital.

If you are able to help, any support would mean the world to us as we navigate this difficult time. Your kindness will help ease the burden on Violet and our family.