Care for Kate Kempston

Kate Kempston is a beloved daughter, sister, niece, granddaughter, cousin, aunt, and friend. She means so much to so many of us, and right now, she needs our help.

Kate, age 21, was in an accident on Saturday, May 9. She had been living in Mississippi for less than a week after graduating from the equestrian program at the University of Findlay (Ohio), when she suffered a fall from a horse that has left her in a coma. Kate's parents, David and Lisa, flew out to be with her and watched and prayed over her as they waited for her to wake up.

During that first week, Kate's symptoms and deep coma led doctors to believe that she suffered a lack of oxygen to the brain and that the effects of this severe hypoxia might be irreversible. We were all devastated and prayed for the best. Then, on May 18, Kate had her critical MRI and the results showed no hypoxia--and our very specific prayers were answered. Instead, they saw evidence of brain stem damage called diffuse axonal injury. This is still incredibly serious, and we don't know the severity of her brain injury--but with this diagnosis, there is hope for recovery. First, Kate must wake up.

Now it's May 19, and David and Lisa are set to fly Kate home, to Minnesota, tonight. There, Kate will receive even more advanced care at Abbot Northwestern Hospital, a specialized facility that's close to home, and Lisa and David will be better supported and set up to provide the long-term care their daughter is going to need. It's the best place for Kate to heal, with the full support of her whole family--Dave, Lisa, and Kate's three brothers --Alex, Brennan, and Connor, and sister-in-law, Franki.

Unfortunately, the ambulatory plane cost of nearly $15,000 to transport Kate is most likely not going to be covered by insurance. David and Lisa have been doing all they can to pursue coverage, but something like this isn't necessarily covered in their policy.  Additionally, their bills, such as the emergency flights to and from Mississippi, their lodging, meals, and rental car, combined with this ambulatory flight, have begun to add up. Kate's recovery and rehabilitation are expected to be significant and most likely will take a very long time. Her new hospital is 20 minutes from the Kempston home, so even  the cost of gas will accumulate . And lastly, their insurance limits what they will pay for long-term coverage. This, too, is going to place further financial strain on David and Lisa.

As Kate's aunt and David's little sister, I am setting up this GoFundMe account in hopes that others will join me in helping to ease David and Lisa's financial burden. Many of you have offered to help, and this is one way to do that. David's boss has also generously sent out a letter to his colleagues asking for their support. It's hard to know the amount this could reach--but we know it will be great. If things change--if insurance covers the flight, for example, or Kate heals more quickly than anticipated and there is still money set aside for Kate, David and Lisa will donate any remaining funds to others facing similar circumstances. The amount we set up as a goal may change, based on how much is needed. 

Thank you for considering making a donation to help Care for Kate. Speaking for all of us, I want to say thank you for your prayers, your concern, and your outpouring of love for our family. Never have we had to depend so fully on God and put our trust in him the way we are right now--by trusting him with our precious, beloved girl. It gives us peace knowing that Kate is in the best of hands, with a God that loves her even more than we do.

Blessings,
Lisa Anderson, Kate's Aunt