Paris Hilton

Jimmy  Darts

Flavor Flav

SB Mowing

Kalina Silverman / @makebigtalk on Instagram

The Dogist

Patriotic Kenny Foundation

Pattie Gonia

Little Miss Flint

Carlos Eduardo Espina

Samuel Weidenhofer

Ben Saunders - Flawless Cleaning

Peter Bond

That Good News Girl

Ask Uncle Jack

Amy Jandrisevits

FowlMouthFarmer

Tess Bohne

Latonja and Taylor Richardson

Officer Richard Craig

<div>Our dear friend Rob Smith had emergency abdominal surgery on July 18 and was hospitalized for 12 days. We are raising funds for <strong>Rob's medical expenses that insurance hasn’t covered and flight costs so he can be reunited with his partner and child in Australia</strong> where he was in the process of relocating before this unexpected medical situation occurred.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Rob was diagnosed last month with <strong>perforated diverticulitis</strong> after experiencing sharp pain in his abdomen while playing a show at Mama Tried (he finished the gig, amazingly). He checked into the hospital Saturday, July 11, where they monitored him for the next three days.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>His doctors initially tried to manage the condition with antibiotics and pain management, but early in the morning on July 18, <strong>he experienced a catastrophic rupture in his large and small intestine</strong>. He was re-admitted to NYU Langone in Sunset Park and underwent <strong>emergency major abdominal surgery</strong> in which sections of his small and large intestine were removed. The surgery involved making a 7-inch incision through his abdominal wall. Post-surgery, he was not able to eat or drink for over a week while his digestive system recovered from this very significant intervention. He's been poked full of holes and had tubes run down his throat for days at a time. <strong>He was finally released on Thursday, July 30, after an arduous 12-day hospital stay.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>In other words, the guy has been through the wringer and endured it all with a kind of patience and grace that I think very few people could bring to bear.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><strong>This all comes at the worst possible time for him, as he is in the final stages of a permanent move to Australia</strong>, where his partner, Anna Kristensen, hails from. She and their daughter Aggie(4 years old) had made the trip down-under in early June. Rob stayed stateside to wind things down at work, train his replacement, close up the apartment, and sell their car. He was staying with me and planning to take a final leisurely week to connect with his friends and music community when this thing knocked him sideways.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Rob was, as usual, shouldering many responsibilities, dealing with logistics and details of this major life transition with care and attention, and doing everything right; nevertheless, he's found himself relying on his network of friends to house him and care for him in this time where he is still very weak, vulnerable, and dealing with significant pain and discomfort, not to mention processing the trauma of this whole ordeal.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>While Rob is “out of the woods” for the moment, there are still a lot of unknowns and <strong>more expensive procedures looming in the near future</strong>. A few months from now, once Rob’s gut has healed from this recent operation, <strong>he will need a stoma reversal: another surgery to reattach his intestine and remove the stoma for the ostomy bag</strong>. In order for this not to complicate the visa process they will need to go <strong>completely out of pocket.</strong>
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>As you might imagine, <strong>we want to see Rob reunited with his family in Australia as soon as possible, though the doctors say it will be at least another month before he is able to fly</strong>. Part of the funds raised here will be used to secure a seat on the plane that allows him to fully recline to relieve pressure on the wound. This is the only way he could manage the 24-hour flight in his condition.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Anyone that knows Rob will tell you that he is an incredibly generous, curious, hard-working, and loving person. As a musical collaborator, there's no one more supportive and nurturing of the creative spirit. Making music with Rob these last few years has been a life gift. Let's give Rob the gift of helping him over this hurdle and back to his life and family. Thank you for your generosity.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Peter(with Rob’s friends and family)
</div>

Get Rob Home to His Family After Surgery

<div>On May 5th, Dustin was in a serious accident and rushed to OHSU where he has since remained with a traumatic brain injury. He was on his motorcycle with full safety clothing and a helmet at the time of the accident, which saved his life. With the most severe level of brain injury, Dustin is looking at a long road to recovery. We are humbly asking for financial help and support for Dustin’s current and future healthcare needs. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>According to his doctors, Dustin’s first year of healing is the most crucial time of recovery, though continued recovery will likely extend into the years beyond. Returning to a mobile, active life is possible and we all remain incredibly hopeful!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Dustin hasn’t regained full cognitive awareness but has shown signs of improvement, smiling and saying some words in context, and even singing along to songs. He opens his eyes and follows familiar voices and brightens at their sound. Dustin’s Caring Bridge is very positive and focused on the progress, because Lindsey, like Dustin, is a force of nature and a person who shares good news whenever possible. But we know they are facing a hard path and need our community support.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Keep reading because, as you may know, there is so much to say about Dustin!
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Dustin is loved far and wide. He’s an awesome father, a superb husband, a steadfast friend, and the humble director of exhibitions at Oregon Contemporary (Ox) in Portland.  Dustin is father to his daughter Vivian, and stepfather to his wife Lindsey’s children Ovid and Onnavah. Dustin and Lindsey just bought a house in February in Milwaukie, OR that makes room for all the kids as well as visiting guests. Dustin likes to Zoom from the sunlit back room when he’s not at Ox working, or spend time listening to vinyl while reading.  This new home is their longtime dream realized just before the accident.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Dustin’s work at Ox has made the visual arts gallery into a vibrant community space for thousands of people who come to exhibitions, performances, and more every year. He’s known as a rare combination of someone who levels up every show and event he touches, while above all else being kind and supportive to artists. People regularly say that Dustin was the best person they’ve ever worked with as a preparator and exhibition designer. His work and deep care – often behind the scenes – has made more of an impact on the community here than most anyone could claim.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>An avid motorcyclist, Dustin loves going to music shows, viewing art exhibitions, and spending time with friends.  He enjoys camping, snowshoeing, and of course, getting tattooed.  Dustin regularly visits family in Florida, and gathers with east coast pals every August for outdoor fun.  If you have met Dustin, you’ve probably been greeted with a smile, a calm voice and deeply caring attention.  He is an incredibly easy person to be around.  Dustin’s lightness and loving nature are what make him such a special person to all of us. Having a tight core of close friends since middle school, Dustin is a golden example of devotion and acceptance. He can make you laugh harder than you thought possible.  He makes you feel valued.
</div>
<div>Dustin will likely be going to Craig Hospital in the greater Denver metro area as soon as he’s able. Craig Hospital is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that specializes exclusively in neurorehabilitation and research for individuals with brain injury. Rehab will be a huge step in his progress, with dedicated care and attention that could shape and determine the course of his future abilities. Dustin will likely have life-long healthcare concerns, but we hope to help him and his family bridge the gap between the medical costs and the limits of insurance funds to see him have the best recovery possible.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Please share this Go Fund Me widely with your community, and keep following here and on Caring Bridge to support our amazing guy.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>With gratitude and hope,
</div>
<div>Dustin's friends and family
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Your support will directly assist Dustin and his family with these care expenses:
</div>
<div>Out-of-pocket medical costs
</div>
<div>Loss of income
</div>
<div>Medical transport to Craig Hospital (Colorado) $20,000 one way
</div>
<div>Expenses for family support around Dustin at Craig Hospital
</div>
<div>Rehabilitation (including speech/physical/occupational therapies and home medical equipment)
</div>
<div>Various medical expenses beyond the scope of insurance
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div><br />
</div>

United for Dustin's Recovery

jack ryan

jack ryan

jack ryan

Featured causes

Get Rob Home to His Family After Surgery

United for Dustin's Recovery

About me