In Memory of Ady Barkan

Our dear friend and real-life hero, Ady Barkan, died November 1 at age 39 from complications of ALS. It’s impossible to describe the impact Ady had during his lifetime or quantify the number of lives he touched. He spent decades fighting alongside people across the country to create a more just nation. In the years after he was diagnosed with ALS, he worked tirelessly to make the U.S. health care system better for everyone – and he inspired countless people, including so many struggling with their own health challenges, to join him in the fight.

Ady devoted so much of his energy to bettering the lives of others, but his greatest pride and joy was the beautiful family he built with his wife, Rachael King, and their two children Carl and Willow. Ady met Rachael when they were undergraduates, and for almost 20 years they shared a life of love and adventure, a deep partnership only made richer by the two children he loved so dearly. From listening to music with Willow on his lap to taking Carl to UC Santa Barbara games to instilling his love of learning and curiosity in them both, Ady cherished every moment he had with them. Ady also held so much gratitude for the amazing team of caregivers who were with him 24/7 and made it possible for him to be a husband and dad, and to continue his life’s work.

Ady never gave up, continuing his work with Be A Hero, the health justice organization he co-founded and co-led, until his last days.

Now it’s our turn to show up for his family as we honor his amazing lifetime of service. The funds raised here will go directly to Ady’s wife Rachael to help the family through this difficult transition and to help cover care costs during his final days.

On behalf of Rachael, Carl, and Willow, thank you for your generosity and for honoring Ady’s life and impact with your financial support.

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This fundraiser is being managed by Rachael’s sister, Lucy King, and her friends Ciel Hunter and Jillian Wein Riley.