FUNERAL COST & MEDICAL EXPENSES - THE ENT FAMILY
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On Sunday July 14th, 2019, Pastor Michael Ent and Kristi Ent lost their fifteen-year-old daughter, Abigail (‘Abbie’) Grace, to sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP). This came as a traumatic shock to the Ent family and our entire community. Abbie's parents lead a small church in Novato, California, and, in addition to the emotional burden that such an unexpected event places, the medical and funeral costs for their younger daughter will be a substantial financial hardship. Most people probably don’t spend much time thinking about setting aside funds for their child’s funeral…
Thursday July 11, 2019 was Kristi Ent’s birthday, and the mother of four celebrated the day with her husband and three of her children, Michael David (‘MD’), Abbie and six year old Sam. (The Ents’ oldest child, Anna, is married and lives in Southern California). The family capped off the day’s activities with a trip to the local Tuttimelon for frozen yogurt, a fun end to a fun day. Later that evening Kristi tucked little Sam into bed, unaware that in a matter of hours her life would be changed forever.
On Friday morning, with Michael at work, Kristi Ent went in to wake Abbie, only to find the 15 year old unresponsive in her bed. She was not breathing. She had no detectable pulse. Kristi sprang into action, administering CPR and calling 911, shock and disbelief taking a backseat to a mother’s instinct to save her child. Paramedics soon arrived, and, with Sam safely in the care of big brother MD, Kristi accompanied Abbie in the ambulance for the trip to Novato Community Hospital. Paramedics continued Kristi’s lifesaving efforts on the way there and were able to get Abbie’s heart restarted before they arrived at the hospital. Once at the hospital, doctors and nurses worked to stabilize Abbie, and initial tests showed that the teen was exhibiting a strong heartbeat and partially breathing on her own again. Hospital staff then arranged for Abbie to be airlifted to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco for specialized intensive care. Kristi and Michael did the only thing they knew to do: rely on their faith, and pray for a miracle—and exhort family and friends to do the same.
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital is arguably one of the best children’s hospitals in California, and further tests indicated that Abbie’s vitals –heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing– were still strong. Doctors cautioned, however, Abbie’s brain had suffered considerable swelling (due to lack of oxygen before her mother found her) and there was no safe way to relieve it. Her condition was grave, they said, and the next few hours were critical.
That night Abbie’s condition deteriorated, and by Saturday morning she was no longer breathing on her own and had to be placed on life support. By Saturday evening Abbie required medication to maintain blood pressure; and on Sunday, subsequent neurological tests indicated that the teen who loved playing with her little brother, had recently become an auntie, and genuinely loved giving to others, was brain dead.
As they raised their family, Michael and Kristi imbued each child with a strong sense of love, care, compassion and giving, and Abbie was no exception. Indeed, this special young woman’s giving nature carried over even in her passing: by Kristi’s performing CPR on Abbie, and the Paramedics keeping her ventilated until they reached the hospital, Abbie’s vital organs remained functional; Michael and Kristi’s subsequent decision to keep their daughter on life support through and beyond brain death, enabled Abbie’s healthy vital organs to remain viable for transplant; four other desperately waiting families were grateful recipients of Abbie’s organs – her final, ultimate gift.
The Ent family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love and support from the community –friends and strangers alike– during this unimaginable time of loss. We, Living Word Church and close friends of the Ent family, have created this memorial fund on behalf of the Ent family in order to ask for help with the expenses they have, and will continue to incur over the coming days, weeks and months. 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards funeral expenses and the family's outstanding and ongoing medical costs, and we appreciate anything you feel inclined to give, no matter how small.
Please keep Michael and Kristi Ent and their children, Anna, Jeffrey & Anzo Poon, and Michael David and Sam in your prayers. Thank you, and God bless.
Thursday July 11, 2019 was Kristi Ent’s birthday, and the mother of four celebrated the day with her husband and three of her children, Michael David (‘MD’), Abbie and six year old Sam. (The Ents’ oldest child, Anna, is married and lives in Southern California). The family capped off the day’s activities with a trip to the local Tuttimelon for frozen yogurt, a fun end to a fun day. Later that evening Kristi tucked little Sam into bed, unaware that in a matter of hours her life would be changed forever.
On Friday morning, with Michael at work, Kristi Ent went in to wake Abbie, only to find the 15 year old unresponsive in her bed. She was not breathing. She had no detectable pulse. Kristi sprang into action, administering CPR and calling 911, shock and disbelief taking a backseat to a mother’s instinct to save her child. Paramedics soon arrived, and, with Sam safely in the care of big brother MD, Kristi accompanied Abbie in the ambulance for the trip to Novato Community Hospital. Paramedics continued Kristi’s lifesaving efforts on the way there and were able to get Abbie’s heart restarted before they arrived at the hospital. Once at the hospital, doctors and nurses worked to stabilize Abbie, and initial tests showed that the teen was exhibiting a strong heartbeat and partially breathing on her own again. Hospital staff then arranged for Abbie to be airlifted to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in San Francisco for specialized intensive care. Kristi and Michael did the only thing they knew to do: rely on their faith, and pray for a miracle—and exhort family and friends to do the same.
UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital is arguably one of the best children’s hospitals in California, and further tests indicated that Abbie’s vitals –heartbeat, blood pressure, breathing– were still strong. Doctors cautioned, however, Abbie’s brain had suffered considerable swelling (due to lack of oxygen before her mother found her) and there was no safe way to relieve it. Her condition was grave, they said, and the next few hours were critical.
That night Abbie’s condition deteriorated, and by Saturday morning she was no longer breathing on her own and had to be placed on life support. By Saturday evening Abbie required medication to maintain blood pressure; and on Sunday, subsequent neurological tests indicated that the teen who loved playing with her little brother, had recently become an auntie, and genuinely loved giving to others, was brain dead.
As they raised their family, Michael and Kristi imbued each child with a strong sense of love, care, compassion and giving, and Abbie was no exception. Indeed, this special young woman’s giving nature carried over even in her passing: by Kristi’s performing CPR on Abbie, and the Paramedics keeping her ventilated until they reached the hospital, Abbie’s vital organs remained functional; Michael and Kristi’s subsequent decision to keep their daughter on life support through and beyond brain death, enabled Abbie’s healthy vital organs to remain viable for transplant; four other desperately waiting families were grateful recipients of Abbie’s organs – her final, ultimate gift.
The Ent family has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of prayers, love and support from the community –friends and strangers alike– during this unimaginable time of loss. We, Living Word Church and close friends of the Ent family, have created this memorial fund on behalf of the Ent family in order to ask for help with the expenses they have, and will continue to incur over the coming days, weeks and months. 100% of the proceeds from this fundraiser will go towards funeral expenses and the family's outstanding and ongoing medical costs, and we appreciate anything you feel inclined to give, no matter how small.
Please keep Michael and Kristi Ent and their children, Anna, Jeffrey & Anzo Poon, and Michael David and Sam in your prayers. Thank you, and God bless.
Fundraising team (2)
Tom Engdahl
Organizer
Novato, CA
Winnifred Comfort
Beneficiary
Winnifred Comfort
Team member
