Webb Family Medical Emergency Relief Fund

As many of you know, Ian and Jessie tragically lost their home in the Almeda fire in 2020. After almost two years without a place to live, they were finally able to rent a small home in White City and slowly begin rebuilding their lives. Last month as they prepared to welcome a beautiful new baby daughter, they learned some very tragic news.

With all of Jessie’s existing health conditions the pregnancy had been hard on her and she was suffering from migraines and spells of forgetfulness. On the 27th of January after a particularly bad spell, she ended up in the ER where a scan revealed a ping pong sized brain tumor. She was immediately flown to Providence Hospital in Portland. Since she was still many weeks away from her due date the surgeons advised waiting until at least the end of February before delivering baby Lilliana. They would have to deliver in Portland where Jessie would have the special support she needed.

The doctors want Jessie close to her team of medical professionals so they are staying at the hospital in Portland. If all goes well after the delivery the family will be able to return home for a brief two-week period before returning to Portland for surgery to remove the tumor and hopefully this beautiful family can get back on the road to recovery once again.

Unfortunately, during this time, Ian has been so overwhelmed that a minor oversight in paperwork caused his unemployment to be rejected. With his hands full with Jessie’s needs and those of their son Liam, who wanted to stay close to his mom, it has been hard for Ian to find his footing. Being the OSF off-season and with expenses mounting, anything and everything will help this amazing family keep their heads above water

In the long term, they will have a newborn baby and lots of medical needs once Jessie is in recovery. I would love to make the financial aspect of this terrible circumstance the one thing they DO NOT have to worry about.

Ian is a lifelong Ashland resident who has worked as a stage operator at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for over 15 years. Anyone who knows him knows how hard he works to support his family and what a sweet kind gentle soul he is. Jessie is a strong wonderful woman who previously worked at the Ashland Food Co-Op until health issues forced her to quit.

Many tragedies have befallen this poor family and yet they have never lost their spirit and sweet genuine nature. Please help me to help them by donating whatever you can. Every dollar helps.

----------------- Almeda Fire -----------------

My nephew Ian Webb, his wife Jessie, and their 3-year-old son lost everything they own to the fires in Phoenix, OR. Anyone who knows Ian knows his huge heart. He always has a kind and caring gesture for everyone and is possessed of the gentlest and loving nature. Jessie, who is raising their son while battling health issues, is one of the strongest women I have ever known. To know them is to love them.

Prior to the fire Ian and Jessie were forced to allow their home insurance to lapse after Ian lost his job at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival due to Covid. They have no coverage available for the loss of their family home. Ian has worked for 10+ years as a stagehand at Shakespeare. Jessie worked at the Co-Op until her health issues were too great to keep working. I am heartbroken for them. They had just paid off their mobile home earlier this year. They worked so hard, have been through so much, and now it is all gone. Burned to the ground.

To give you a measure of how giving and selfless a man Ian can be, after getting Jessie and their son to safety he went back last night to save their two cats. When he arrived the home next door had just caught fire and sparks quickly spread to their property. With all the water turned off there was nothing he could do but watch as the flames engulfed everything. He was able to locate and save one of the cats by wrapping it in a wet towel then climbing a barbed wire fence with his bare hands, cutting himself to pieces in the process, while his home burned behind him. Their other cat is feared lost.

He is traumatized. They are heartbroken. Please consider donating anything you can. I know so many people right now are suffering and it is time to dig deep and love one another as best we can. They are a beautiful family. The best I know. Any help you can give would be deeply appreciated. The money will be used first for necessities and then to try to secure housing. Even if all you can spare is $5 every little bit helps.