Zac DeForge's Medical Fund
Donation protected
In the US strokes are the 5th leading cause of death and is the leading cause of disability. Nearly every 40 seconds, someone, somewhere encounters the loss of mobility, loss of speech, and muscle weakness that accompanies a blood clot or bleeding in the brain. However, while most stroke victims are over the age of 65, and often have pre-existing conditions that increase the risk for a stroke; young adults are not impervious to the ailment - as we discovered August 28th, 2018.
Just past 11:00PM, Zachary DeForge had just arrived at his girlfriend’s house after traveling the 5 ½ hours between Upper Michigan and Wisconsin, where he abruptly doubled over, complained of an intense headache. The subsequent symptoms were telltale indicators of a stroke - drooping of the right side of his face, loss of function in the extremities on the right side of his body, slurred speech. An ambulance was promptly called, and he was admitted to the hospital where a CT scans were performed, confirming a severe stroke on the left hemisphere of his brain caused by a blood clot.
They administered medication to help dissolve the clot and to prevent further damage to the tissue. He was transferred to the ICU for further treatment. At face value, this story is a common one - nearly all survivors of a stroke indicate similar symptoms, similar treatment. However, at only 26 years old, with no prior medical conditions (diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, etc.), trauma to the neck or head, or complications from drug use, he is somewhat a medical mystery to the physicians treating him.
Cardiologists, neurologists, hematologists, and a host of physical and speech therapists have been working tirelessly with him since he has been admitted to the hospital, and his progress thus far has been promising. However, the imaging and blood work, hospitalization, and subsequent intensive rehabilitation necessary to ensure he regains function of his right side and ability to speak are costs that few 26 year olds anticipate having to afford. He had intended to spend this weekend standing in his friend’s wedding, not laying in a hospital bed.
Unfortunately, with his new job he had just taken in Marquette this past month, his health insurance policy does not take in effect until October. He will now be facing tremendous medical bills and will be out of work for indefinite amount of time. Currently his medical bills are up to $47k+.
Though his friends and family are rallying around him, we have designed this account to assist in paying for the extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation necessary for a full recovery following the severity of his stroke. It will be a long road before he is able to completely speak and have full function again.
Anyone whose lives Zac has touched can attest to his selflessness, to his aptitude for learning and his desire to share that with others, to his ability to bring laughter and light to all around him, to his unyielding love of all those he held dear. And for those of us who hold him dear as well, our goal is to give him back his independence, and give him back his voice. We appreciate any and all assistance - either through donations, or helping share this page.
Just past 11:00PM, Zachary DeForge had just arrived at his girlfriend’s house after traveling the 5 ½ hours between Upper Michigan and Wisconsin, where he abruptly doubled over, complained of an intense headache. The subsequent symptoms were telltale indicators of a stroke - drooping of the right side of his face, loss of function in the extremities on the right side of his body, slurred speech. An ambulance was promptly called, and he was admitted to the hospital where a CT scans were performed, confirming a severe stroke on the left hemisphere of his brain caused by a blood clot.
They administered medication to help dissolve the clot and to prevent further damage to the tissue. He was transferred to the ICU for further treatment. At face value, this story is a common one - nearly all survivors of a stroke indicate similar symptoms, similar treatment. However, at only 26 years old, with no prior medical conditions (diabetes, obesity, high cholesterol, etc.), trauma to the neck or head, or complications from drug use, he is somewhat a medical mystery to the physicians treating him.
Cardiologists, neurologists, hematologists, and a host of physical and speech therapists have been working tirelessly with him since he has been admitted to the hospital, and his progress thus far has been promising. However, the imaging and blood work, hospitalization, and subsequent intensive rehabilitation necessary to ensure he regains function of his right side and ability to speak are costs that few 26 year olds anticipate having to afford. He had intended to spend this weekend standing in his friend’s wedding, not laying in a hospital bed.
Unfortunately, with his new job he had just taken in Marquette this past month, his health insurance policy does not take in effect until October. He will now be facing tremendous medical bills and will be out of work for indefinite amount of time. Currently his medical bills are up to $47k+.
Though his friends and family are rallying around him, we have designed this account to assist in paying for the extensive hospitalization and rehabilitation necessary for a full recovery following the severity of his stroke. It will be a long road before he is able to completely speak and have full function again.
Anyone whose lives Zac has touched can attest to his selflessness, to his aptitude for learning and his desire to share that with others, to his ability to bring laughter and light to all around him, to his unyielding love of all those he held dear. And for those of us who hold him dear as well, our goal is to give him back his independence, and give him back his voice. We appreciate any and all assistance - either through donations, or helping share this page.
Organizer
Sarah DeForge
Organizer
Houghton, MI
