Urgent Help Needed: Medical Crisis & Family Emergency

Hello everyone,

I'm reaching out on behalf of my friend and former colleague, Sam, a dedicated pet groomer who has recently faced an unexpected and life-altering situation. Sam needs our support more than ever, and I hope you'll take a moment to read their story and consider helping.

The Accident

On June 6th, while visiting a client for a routine dog nail trim, Sam was scratched by the client's cat. What seemed like a minor incident quickly escalated into a severe infection. By the following day, Sam was in excruciating pain and swelling, leading to an emergency room visit. Despite being put on steroid antibiotics, the pain and swelling worsened. A second ER visit on Sunday confirmed the need for immediate hand surgery due to the aggressive nature of the infection.

The surgery was traumatic—three rounds of local anesthesia couldn't numb the infected area, causing Sam to endure immense pain during the procedure. Thankfully, the doctor is confident that the infection was fully addressed, but the road to recovery is long. Sam now requires daily visits to a nurse clinic for wound care and is expected to be off work for 3-6 weeks.

The Heartbreaking News

Adding to this challenging situation, Sam's father, Martin Russell, 59, was diagnosed with terminal esophageal, stomach, and liver cancer in November 2023. Despite undergoing aggressive chemotherapy and targeted treatments, the prognosis has not improved. Doctors now estimate that Martin may only have the summer remaining.

Sam had planned to take a 10-day leave to spend precious time with their father in Kirkland Lake. However, the need for daily wound care has complicated these plans, making it nearly impossible to get the necessary medical care while visiting their father. Hospitals and clinics will not treat them on an outpatient basis.

The Urgent Need

Sam is facing significant financial strain due to being out of work for up to six weeks, coupled with the emotional toll of potentially losing the last opportunity to spend meaningful time with their father. While some medical expenses are covered, the costs of travel, accommodation, and basic living expenses and loss of income during this period are overwhelming.

We are hoping to raise $15,000 to cover:

• Travel expenses to visit Martin in Kirkland Lake.

• Basic living and financial expenses for their business, which is unable to operate, while Sam is unable to work.

How You Can Help

Your support will make a world of difference. By helping, in what ever way you're able to, can help alleviate the financial burden on Sam and give them the chance to spend this crucial time with their father. No amount is too small, and every donation or share is deeply appreciated.

Let's come together as a community to support Sam during this challenging time. Your kindness and generosity can help bring a bit of light and hope into their life when they need it most. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting and knowing Sam, knows they are more than deserving of the kind of kindness, they themseleves put out into the world.

Thank you for your support.

Jenn