Jacqueline Kathleen Williams-HERO Status and Legacy

Sherry DuChateau is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of Michael Williams.

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Jacqueline Kathleen Williams

On Thursday, May 30th, my beloved niece Jaci took her final breaths, surrounded by the love of her husband Mike, her mom, and her brave son, Jayden.

This devastating journey began Memorial Day weekend during a family camping trip in Wisconsin Rapids. Jaci had been experiencing increasingly severe headaches in the weeks leading up to this tragic event. Her neurologist had recently referred her to Mayo Clinic-the referral paperwork was in the works. On Saturday, she was seen in the emergency room, where she received IV fluids of Benadryl, Toradol and anti-nausea medications. A CT scan of her brain was done (results normal) and for a brief time, it seemed that things were calming down. She was discharged from the ER.

Early Sunday morning, Jaci suffered several excruciating headaches accompanied by pressure and extreme nausea. She was rushed back to the ER, where she continued to become increasingly ill. Jaci became unresponsive and another CT scan was performed. This scan showed acute severe brain swelling and she was transferred to UW-Madison Hospital. Transport was initially planned via air transport, but due to severe weather conditions, she was taken by ambulance.

Upon arriving at UW-Madison, another scan was completed. This one revealed no brain activity. Unfortunately, Jaci had been deprived of oxygen to her brain for a lengthy time and would never regain consciousness.

Given Jaci’s status as a registered organ donor, the topic of organ donation arose. The family made a courageous decision...Jaci’s tragedy could bring hope and life to others. After 4 days on life support keeping her viable organs alive, Jaci’s heart, liver, kidneys, lungs and tissue landed miracles to other families in need.

Jaci’s life and her selfless gifts were celebrated with an Honor Walk on Thursday. The halls were lined from her ICU room to the Operating Room with hospital staff and immediate family members---a beautiful tribute to her legacy. Jaci will live on in the lives of those she saves. This is the silver lining in an otherwise heartbreaking tragedy. She is a true HERO. Dylan and Jayden have been so brave throughout this tragedy and are SO PROUD of their mom's gift to others.

We could not be more appreciative of the amazing staff at UW-Madison Neuro ICU. We are truly blessed that amongst this horrible situation, we had the support of the most brilliant minds with the biggest arms to hold us.

Your monetary contributions will serve a meaningful purpose—covering medical bills and future endeavors to support Jayden and Dylan. Their journey ahead will undoubtedly be difficult.

Please keep the boys and the rest of us close to your hearts at this time. We are shocked, confused and heartbroken.