Time to show up for the one & only Emily Magner!

Community!!!

Traverse City’s beloved and brilliant powerhouse Emily Magner needs our support. If you know Emily you know she’s a fighter, for clean air, clean water, safe legal abortion access, fair wages, the right to self determination, and the list goes on.

When I think of Emily, I hear her contagious laugh, see her sparkling green eyes, and feel her conviction for justice. I feel her encouragement. She gathers us all together with love to work for a better tomorrow, wearing her colorful dresses and heart-shaped glasses. Her welcoming smile makes us feel like the most important person in the room.

Each of us who’s known her, knows she has a Great Lakes sized heart and has always fought for what is right.

And when Emily fights, she leaves it all on the field. Now it’s time for us to show up for her, like she shows up for all of us.

On October 14th, 2021, just before her 37th birthday, Emily suffered a massive, rare stroke that caused seizures, a brain hemorrhage, and put her in a coma for almost a week, after which she woke up paralyzed. By nothing short of a miracle, not only did Emily survive, but so did her charm, intellect, sense of humor, and wit.

After her coma she was transferred to Mary Freebed Rehabilitation Center, where with the help of incredible therapists, nurses, doctors and aides, she fought like hell to gain her mobility back - which she did, although her left side was a bit stubborn. It has been a very long road to recovery, and she is still working hard to get back to 100%. (Apparently, the brain does a lot of things. Who knew!) Right now, Emily continues to work with specialists at University of Michigan, as well as occupational and speech therapists.

Emily is focusing on healing like her life depends on it, (which it does,) and confidently says she intends on achieving an A++ in recovery. She has to be reminded regularly to be patient with herself; she’s come a long way!

HERE’S WHERE WE COME IN!!!

Even with insurance, this medical event has come with great financial costs. University of Michigan specialists- hematology, neurology, teaching hospital stroke clinic, rehab specialists, medication, endless copays, mortgage, home repairs and maintenance support…it all adds up. Until she is able to get back to work, Emily is a single woman making ends meet on a reduced income while on medical leave. We have the opportunity to take some of that pressure off.

If Emily has touched your life in any way, whether it was hearing her speak at an event or even giving you a jingle to confirm you for your volunteer shift, I know you have not forgotten it.

She has fought tirelessly for all of us. We now have the opportunity to show up for her as she continues her recovery from this life changing medical event. In addition to accepting all of the positive energy you have to send her, please join me in supporting her tangibly with this Healing and Recovery Fund.

No donation is too small, and if you aren’t in a position to give, please consider sharing a link to this fundraiser.

With many thanks and much love,

Emily's ride or die,

Betsy Coffia