Help us recover from two devastating surgeries

Michelle and Chris Armbruster are facing financial hardship this year due to medical bills after her spinal surgery/paralysis and his cancer diagnosis.

Michelle (Runyon) Armbruster has lived in Elmwood almost her entire life. After growing up here, graduating from Elmwood High School in 1986 and attending college in Peoria, Michelle got married and moved back to Elmwood 21 years ago with her husband Chris Armbruster to raise their twins. Michelle has been the Library Director at Morrison & Mary Wiley Library for 20 years, leading the many activities and programs there.

The first five months of 2023 have been difficult for Chris and Michelle.

In February, Chris was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery to remove his tonsils and lymph nodes. Shortly before beginning cancer treatments, Chris lost his job. He has successfully completed radiation treatment and is currently looking for a new job, but he has been unemployed for several months.

Then in April, Michelle had to undergo unexpected emergency spinal cord surgery. She is now paralyzed from the chest down. Her recovery from surgery will be a lengthy process with doctors uncertain how much mobility she will regain. After more than a month of ICU stays and physical rehab, Michelle will return home at the beginning of June and will require a specialized hospital bed and wheelchair.

The couple is struggling to make ends meet, and they are worried about how they will pay for the cost of making their home accessible for Michelle’s wheelchair as well as covering the medical bills.

Your donation will help make Chris and Michelle’s home accessible and help cover the mounting medical bills from this situation. Any donation, no matter how small, will be greatly appreciated as they work together to recover.

Thank you for your support.

How you can help

Any kind of support is meaningful to them. Please let us know if you can help in other ways.

This fundraiser was posted by Chris's sister. All funds go directly to Chris and Michelle.