<div>This fundraiser is created on behalf of <strong>Josh Kutz and his family.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>On April 17th, 2025, Josh's car was fatally struck by a semi on Route 394. The semi then fled the scene, leaving Josh behind. A witness called 911. The semi was later located, and the driver was found uninjured and in possession of drugs and alcohol.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Josh inspired countless people through his generosity and selflessness. His willingness to help others when they needed it the most will continue to leave a lasting impression on many lives, and his sudden death has left a hole in the heart of just as many.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>If you count yourself as one of those many, please let us all return the favor. If you knew Josh, you know he was an extraordinary person. <strong>If you feel that you are better for having known him, please help give him the funeral he deserves. Everything counts.</strong>
</div>

Give Josh Kutz the Farewell He Deserves

<div>Hello friends,
</div>
<div>For more than a decade, I’ve dedicated my life to helping people and families impacted by addiction. I helped build some of Missouri’s first harm reduction and recovery efforts as a living amends to my parents, who both passed away from cancer. After overcoming my own struggles, I wanted to honor them by building a life and legacy I could be proud of and becoming the man they raised.
</div>
<div>I was the first person in Missouri to distribute naloxone. I launched St. Louis’s first syringe access program. I helped change laws, shaped large parts of Missouri’s opioid response, and co-authored the federal harm reduction framework now used nationwide. This work has never been a job to me. It has been the mission of my life.
</div>
<div>Why I’m asking for help
</div>
<div>Many of you know pieces of what has happened since my termination. The aftermath has been incredibly hard. What I built wasn’t just a career. It was the legacy I intended to leave my children, something they could always point to with pride.
</div>
<div>After that separation, confusion and speculation filled the gaps. Anyone who has worked in public health knows how quickly stories can grow legs when there’s no context. In a field where reputation determines which doors stay open, the impact was immediate and deeply felt.
</div>
<div>As a single father raising two kids full-time, the hardest part has not been the loss of a title. It’s been the loss of the stability, purpose, and momentum I spent years building. If you or someone you love has ever benefited from naloxone access, overdose immunity laws, or harm reduction services in Missouri, there’s a good chance my work touched your life in some way.
</div>
<div>Why this matters
</div>
<div>This situation touches on important issues in Missouri’s public health landscape, far bigger than me but anyone who understands this field knows how vital clarity and honesty are to the people we serve.
</div>
<div>How you can help
</div>
<div>I hate asking for help, but I don’t have a choice. My attorney has been working on a quasi-contingency basis, but I owe legal fees for the extraordinary amount of work required in this matter. Your support will help cover:
</div>
<div>• court filing fees
</div>
<div>• deposition and court reporter costs
</div>
<div>• essential litigation expenses
</div>
<div>I will provide full transparency on how every dollar is spent. I want my kids to see me fight through this with integrity and resilience, no matter how difficult it gets.
</div>
<div>Final call to action
</div>
<div>Your support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this page, will help me stabilize my life, support my kids, and continue the work I’ve devoted my life to. I’m proud of what we built together. With your help, I can keep moving forward.
</div>
<div>Thank you for standing with me.
</div>
<div>Chad
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>

Help Me Clear My Name and Restore My Lifes Work

<div>It was a June Wednesday afternoon and I missed multiple calls from my 80 year old mother. When I put down my work and picked up my phone the text read,<strong> "CALL ME ASAP. CLARK IS IN THE HOSPITAL.</strong>" My loving 40-year-old brother Clark had suffered a major stroke. His girlfriend Brittany was thankfully working from home and heard him hit the floor. She called the ambulance right away and he was rushed to the hospital. He was unconscious in the NICU by the time I got anyone on the phone. A Neuro Integrated Care Unit is an intensive care unit devoted to the care of patients with immediately life-threatening neurological problems and that's what Clark was facing. While I was on the phone with my mother, who was breaking down, the Neurosurgeon told her that Clark had an extreme brain bleed in the right side of his brain and it was NOT something they could help with surgery without doing extreme damage to his brain. Our prayers at that moment were for his survival and the brain bleed to stop. I can't express to you the difficulty this time was for everyone, especially our parents. They stayed by him every minute we were allowed. Immediate family and close friends visited as they could over the couple weeks that followed as we stared at machines working to keep his blood pressure down. Machines, seizure watches, doctors, nurses, staff, ports, IV's, the works, all trying to stop the bleeding and allow the difficult, intense and lengthy healing process for his brain to begin.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>I won't further detail the horror of the hallucinations, pains and realities that crept in over those weeks but the fight was just beginning. We are so blessed to be in the place where we are talking about my brother in the present tense. However, the stroke he suffered left him <strong>completely paralyzed on the entire left side of his body</strong>. He has no use or feeling of any of it. He is also suffering intense left neglect. He can't see, recognize or hold attention to anything on his left. As you can imagine the physical difficulties this puts on him and his caregivers is ENORMOUS and he needs 24-hour care. This is where we need all the help we can get.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>While in the NICU we were told that the hospital we were in <strong>wasn't covered</strong> by his insurance. This was just the start. He needed to be transferred from one hospital to another down the highway as soon as possible due to insurance. The problem; there wasn't a bed. Extra days went by in the NICU while we waited for the transfer. After multiple transfers (and bills) he was put into a rehabilitation center. After a short period of a week or two, we were told by a case worker that he was to be discharged because insurance was up. In a disastrous display of miscommunications, confusing meeting times and "oh sorrys," we found ourselves in the family training on how to help physically transfer Clark from bed to wheelchair, wheelchair to seat, and so on followed by a family meeting to gather a plan for Clark's discharge. We were told he was approved for 5 days a week PT and some OT at a facility. We figured out how to pull this off and a plan was set. Fast forward a week to the day before he was to be discharged into our care and the case worker informs us that the facility in the plan we had discussed and planned around did not accept his insurance and it would be out of pocket. He was then discharged. There wasn't even a home safety evaluation to make sure the house was safe! (My elderly father had to build ramps AFTER he got home!)
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>Clark needs INTENSE Physical Therapy for months at least if he's to stand a chance at recovering any use of his left side. To get what he needs in that facility alone it will cost us about $8500 a month out of pocket just for the PT.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We were blindsided. We didn't know what to do. We didn't even know who to talk to or ask questions to. We took him home and have struggled to get him more than 3 one hour sessions at other facilities that are covered by his insurance. We've talked to dozens of professionals in the medical community and all insist that <strong>HE NEEDS INTENSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY IMMEDIATELY</strong> and that you have to just spend the money to get it wherever you can or he'll miss any window of opportunity to recover to whatever point that may be possible. And here we are. Clark is such a wonderful guy and is by most accounts clinging to positivity during all of this. The toll it's taken on our parents, his girlfriend and all of our family is impossible to explain. This is just the tip of the iceberg with this story so far.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div><img alt="" media_type="3" src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/74559889_1691373642530207_r." width="100%" />
<div>Thank you so much for reading his story. We are praying and hoping every day this is just a chapter in his life and does not define his future. We need any help we can get with all the bills that are starting to come in from the months of hospital stays, the cost of the wheelchair that had to be customized for him, the cost of all the extremely important therapy he needs and possibly an inpatient facility for the time being so Clark is getting the true care he needs. We have tried to do it these past weeks and simply can't do it this way. Even with relatives driving hours to spend the night to try and help. I'm grateful to you for reading this and sending any prayers, vibes, and energies you can. Whatever you can give in any way is a blessing to us now. Praise God my brother is alive.
</div>

Help Clark Walk Again And Recover From Stroke

<div>First of all I (Miranda-Toby’s Daughter)want to express my gratitude for all the calls, texts, visits, prayers and shows of support for my mom. She has felt so loved.  It’s that love that she has leaned on when she couldn’t find her own strength. Thank you for helping My Momma. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>On Sept 30, 2019 my mom was headed home from her job as a school nurse when she was hit head on at a high rate of speed by a car whose driver had overdosed. To this day, my momma cries over the pain that the drivers family has had to go through and prays for peace to be restored to the drivers’ mommas’ heart. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>3.5 years later my mom is still fighting for a normal life. The injuries she sustained are not common to most people. They are typically only found in the small print when “Blunt Force Trauma” is listed as Cause of Death.  The impact of the other car against hers tore my moms lower leg off right above the ankle, causing bones to explode throughout the rest of her leg. As a lot of you know, she fought to get out of that car and fought to get help for the other driver. The memories or visions if you will of that day, have haunted her every day since. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>After 3.5 years of trying to salvage what was left of her leg she has had to give up the fight to save her leg and has begin the fight to save her life. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>My Mommas tough. She made it through the emotions, the panic, the strength it took to lie down and get wheeled into the operating room knowing what they were going to do. She went through the waking up with a piece of her literally being gone. While she is facing the reality that her leg is gone, her concern is helping us to face it. She is putting in every bit of the work and all of the time that is expected for her to be able to walk again, with a prosthesis. Unfortunately she cannot do this and work. It is one or the other. Its the difference between hopping on one leg with a walker for the rest of her life or asking for help on her road to mobility with a prosthesis.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Within seconds of meeting my mom, you know her heart. Wether years have gone by or you’re just meeting her, the love coming from my mommas big ole heart is something you’ll never forget.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This Go Fund me has been setup to to assist with the out of pocket costs that come with getting a prosthesis as well as the costs of living. She is already worrying and saying she has to get back to work. Please help me help my mom to heal correctly and completely and to walk again. Even the smallest donation would help but if you just can't please share this in hopes that it will reach somebody that can. Please everyone share this.
</div>

Road to Recovery After Amputation for Toby Arman

<div><img src="https://d2g8igdw686xgo.cloudfront.net/61394439_1638538861880226_r.jpeg" width="100%" media_type="3" alt="61394439_1638538861880226_r.jpeg" />Hi, my name is Laurel and I'm raising money to help Jakob Miller pay his medical bills. He was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had surgery December 1st. Jakob has decided his life to helping others now I want to help him pay off his medical bills.  Any help to meet our goal is greatly appreciated!
</div>

Help Jakob Miller Pay His Medical Bills

On April 24th, Phillip received 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his right hip and hand when a lithium battery 'cooked off' in his pocket shooting spark and flame onto his body. <br />On May 4th Phillip is having skin graft surgery to repair the largest portion of burn on his hip. <br />He has been unable to work since the incident and is unclear on when he will be able to return full-time. Currently, he has no health insurance and his regular bills such as utilities, rent, wound care supplies and medication have already depleted his regular income. During this time, he is not eligible for unemployment benefits or short term disability and bills are beginning to add up again. <br />Phillip has dedicated a large portion of his life to helping others as a former paramedic and currently through his part-time role as a Peer Specialist/First Responder Liaison at MoNetwork and through 12 step recovery. <br />Phillip's primary focus during this time needs to be on his healing and recovery from surgery. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Help Phillip With Expenses After Burn

We have had foreclosure scares before but this is the closest things have ever actually been. There is a sale date. The house that my mom lives in has been scheduled to be sold on 2/20. You can see it here: <a href="https://www.southlaw.com/report/Sales_Report_MO.pdf" target="_blank" class="" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">https://www.southlaw.com/report/Sales_Report_MO.pdf</a><br /><br />I would prefer to handle everything myself but I really can't do things alone. I have no brothers, no sisters, no aunts, no family. It's just me. I've now been given a final number by Commerce Bank. In order to stop this process, I'm being told we'll need about $1,000 plus attorney fees and court costs totalling $3726.45. <br /><br />My mom has a stage 4 terminal breast cancer and of course cannot work or do anything to obtain an income. She does not and cannot receive any disability, SSI, welfare, etc. Doctors have revised her estimates and expect her to live 6 months or less at this point.<br /><br />As some of my friends know, I created a gofundme years ago and I appreciate those that have helped share it, and donate to it. I haven't solicited donations from friends on Facebook in well over a year but it's still active and explained a bit more of her cancer backstory. We started our gofundme goal years ago at $40k because that's how much was still owed on her house. At this point, mostly from just natural payments towards the balance but also some donations here, we've almost cut that in half. But the most immediate goal to avoid this foreclosure is $3726.  (The larger $20k goal here represents her entire existing balance but the real immediate need very soon goal is $3726.)<br /><br />In my past, I could've put that all on a credit card. That might have been like a day of Black Friday spending for me. But I no longer have resources like that after years of her medical issues. I have exhausted so many of my resources. I always had a plan B in my past for emergencies but I never ever planned for any kind of multiple year terminal illness. You just never.<br /><br />And so I have to ask you, my friends, and her friends, and even just people that have had personal experiences with cancer to help. If you can't assist, I'd appreciate you sharing both with your own personal social media and maybe even some community groups. If everyone just ignores this, I really don't know what I'll do about my mom.<br /><br />Creative suggestions are welcome but please understand I've already gone to things like churches, charities, etc. Even St. Vincent de Paul just cannot assist. I do hope that you can. Please help if you have the means. If you can't, please share. Even if a thousand people donated $2 or so, we could change someones life that deserves it so much.

Mom w/stage 4 cancer losing house

I am trying to raise $400 to pay for my trip to Washington DC to speak with policy makers around Harm Reduction and Recovery. This would cover airfare and out of pocket expenses. The date is March 14th. I need to purchase a ticket soon to save on costs. <br /><br />In addition, I am seeking $600 to go toward the mail out of Harm Reduction Care Packages. This has been a labor of love for the past four years. I have (gladly) footed most of the expenses myself and I's love to get some help. <br /><br /> I am not much for asking for help but folks have said they want to contribute so for once, I won't say no.

Harm Reduction Goes to DC

Christie

<div>I'm Ashley's Aunt Christie. I'm reaching out on her behalf because <strong>we must come together to support her in obtaining and maintaining her own place to live until her disability is approved</strong>, which she is told could take YEARS.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>I've watched her body change like something out of a horror story over the last year. She went from healthy and happy to unbelievably sick — so fast. Starting last summer, she got sick more and more often. Multiple physical symptoms and severe bouts of abdominal pain sent her to the hospital multiple times. The first few times, she was given pain meds and discharged from the ER. Finally she was in so much pain, she came to me instead of the hospital and I watched her experience what seemed like 12 hours of hard labor without drugs. I monitored her blood pressure and supported her the best I could. The next time it happened, she was alone with her baby at home and had to call the ambulance because she blacked out and woke up in her own vomit. We rushed out to her an hour away. My husband took her son home and I stayed to advocate for her at the hospital.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>She's been hospitalized multiple times since, tested negative for everything from allergies &amp; autoimmune disease to Monkey Pox and all the things in between. Her labs are always 'normal.' She's had her gall bladder surgically removed and has had surgery twice to remove abscesses that developed with no real diagnosis. She has developed an incredibly rare and painful skin condition where her skin fills up with so much lymphatic fluid that she swells from her breasts to her knees until she can hardly move at all. Her skin stretches so much, and so fast, that her skin becomes rock hard and her pores open up and leak lymphatic fluid, breaking down her tissues and causing permanent skin and nerve damage. This has been happening for a year now. She is devastated and in constant, debilitating pain at 32 years old with 3 young boys to care for. The two oldest have their dad to help but her 5-year-old is with her 24/7.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>She lost 3 separate jobs she tried to hold onto for having to miss shifts while at the hospitals or doctors and being physically incapable to perform job duties, like sitting and standing for more than 15 minutes at a time. She lost her apartment of 3 years and had to adopt her beloved dog out to strangers because she could no longer afford it. She lived in her car for nearly 3 months this past spring/summer, while she desperately tried to find somewhere safe to go and help her manage her health. She has seen every kind of specialist and continues to meet new doctors almost weekly. Most of them do not take the time to learn about her condition. Many are cold and dismissive. They ALL refer her to someone else, simply stating there is nothing they can do to help her. When the pain is so bad she can't take it anymore, or even get herself out of bed, she is told to go to the ER. The ER says they can't help her except maybe (rarely) for pain, but not if she has to drive herself or has her baby with her, which she usually does.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Despite ALL of this she has remained hopeful and determined to figure out the cause and be healthy again. She is practicing a whole food diet and currently attending class to become a substitute teacher, with the hopes that this can accommodate all of her medical appointments and her son's school schedules, while also saving to get into an independent living situation. Living with strangers short term, while being so vulnerable and sick is not working anymore. <strong>This is an immediate need.</strong> Most recently, 3 months of steroids had helped the swelling to go down a bit and the skin to slightly heal. After one week of stopping the steroids per doctor orders, her swelling is back and her skin has again opened up and is draining lymphatic fluid. The two most recent diagnoses are severe lymphedema for her skin condition and Wells Syndrome, which is extremely rare. We are waiting on another specialist to help and do bone marrow testing among other things.

</div>

<div><br />

</div>

<div>Ashley has been through so much in her life, starting as a very small child. She has raised herself. She has ALWAYS made do with what she had. <strong>She is one of the most dedicated mommies I've EVER met and I want to see her healthy again.</strong> Anything you can donate will help us reach her goal of buying medical grade compression garments for the days her pain level is low enough to tolerate them, register her vehicle so she stops getting petty tickets she can't afford, and most importantly having a safe home for her little family. This fundraiser will remain active until she is on the mend to help support her in all the ways. If this last round of specialists can't figure her out, we would like to continue to save for a deposit to the MAYO Clinic, which will not take her Medicaid, but WILL schedule her with a deposit. We will provide updates often. Thank you so much from the very bottom of our hearts.

</div>

Christie

Christie

What they care about

Featured causes

Donate to Ashley's Journey Towards Healing and Hope

Give Josh Kutz the Farewell He Deserves

Help Me Clear My Name and Restore My Lifes Work

Help Clark Walk Again And Recover From Stroke

Road to Recovery After Amputation for Toby Arman

About me