My name is Jessica, and I am fundraising for my husband, George Cockrell. Many may know him as "Big George" or "Uncle George" -- could be from the dog training community or the hot rod scene... Regardless, for all who know him, George is the type of man who would be the first to help anyone in need.. and rarely ever asks for help for himself.

We live in a small town in Maryland with our three dogs and 11-year-old son. George and I were attending the IACP Dog Conference in Jacksonville, FL, arriving Friday, 9/9. This trip was the second vacation we had taken together, leaving our son Bradley to be cared for by family. Halfway through giving his presentation on Monday, 9/12, George started to have shortness of breath, cold sweat and pain in his chest. We were taken by ambulance to a local hospital, and the next series of events led us on a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. He had a massive heart attack, was urgently intubated, and airlifted to a more capable hospital.

Over the past three weeks (it is 10/7/2022, as I type this), we have been to four different hospitals. We have been grateful to have family and friends step in to care for and watch our home, dogs, and son. I am so thankful that I have had support for me too; having to make challenging decisions for my husband when he was unable to himself. He has had many complications along the way, all while receiving necessary life-saving procedures (two different impella pumps, vascular surgery, six stents in his heart, he is on dialysis and now has a pacemaker, to name a few).

Last night, we were fortunate enough to be transferred from FL to a hospital in VA about 45 minutes from our home. George is incurring many medical bills (hospital stays, surgeries, procedures, care, air ambulance). There are also discussions of potential heart and kidney transplants -- we are taking things one day at a time. George is undoubtedly on a long journey to recovery. He is such a fighter!

If you have been blessed to cross paths with Big George and have ever learned anything from him or benefitted from his work or life in any way, or are just a good-hearted person, we would be endlessly appreciative of any help you can give at this time. No donation is too small ... in his typical joking matter, he told me to be sure to say that no donation is too large either!

Donations will be used for the following things:

• Medical expenses not fully covered by insurance (for example procedures, ambulance ride $650, air ambulance $11,500, prescriptions, potential transplant etc.)

• Household bills since he will be out of work for an indefinite amount of time (mortgage, keeping lights, electricity, heat on in the home)

• Any potential adjustments needing to be made to the home post-hospital stay

If the goal is met, any additional donations will be used for:

• Donations to IACP, Heart Foundation, Mayo Clinic, First Baptist Church of Damascus, DogiZone and other beloved organizations that have supported us along the way.

If you can help in any way, my family will be incredibly thankful, and if you can't, we ask that you keep my husband in your thoughts and prayers as he follows his path to recovery. Whether or not you're able to donate, spreading the word also helps!

With much love and kindness,

Jessica Hudgins