A New Heart Valve For My Amazing Mom

My name is Cory Crawford, and I'm here to ask for help in the form of whatever people can spare as my parents struggle to pay their massive and still climbing medical costs and related bills. My sweet mom, Vonnie Crawford, went to the hospital in Wenatchee, Washington, about 14 years ago in diabetic shock, and we thought we would lose her. The good news is obviously she is still here, but as a result of her time in the hospital, she contracted a MRSA infection from the hospital that attacked her heart valve. The doctors successfully gave her a new valve, but during the surgery, with her chest still open, she woke up. It severly traumatized her, and she swore at the time that if she ever needed surgery again that she'd rather die. So, two weeks ago, when they told us her heart valve had failed and needed replacing or she'd die, we were terrified she wouldn't let the doctors save her. Fortunately, my brave and unbelievably strong mother agreed to do what the doctors said they needed to do to keep her with us for many more years.

So, my mom and dad, Mike Crawford Sr, traveled to Seattle 3 hours away to have the needed surgery two weeks ago. The hotel my dad is staying at charges $160/night, even with the discounts. To make things more upsetting for my parents, both the hospital room and my dad's hotel room do NOT have air conditioning. Still, my dad keeps saying he doesn't care about the money or discomfort and to do whatever it takes to take care of his beloved, cherished wife. My mom is recovering well but slowly. She has at least one more week at the hospital before the doctors say she can be moved to a rehab facility. They are looking for a facility with room to take my mom back home to Wenatchee. However, the doctors said that she absolutely must be transported by ambulance. Again, my dad said he does not care about the money because she is too important to let money get in the way of doing what the doctors say needs to be done.

My whole life I have never known my dad to show much emotion and he definitely does not easily accept help. He did admit that he's very frustrated with the amount of time they have to stay in Seattle with the bills mounting, and he's starting to get worried about how he's going to pay for the hotel and ambulance, not to even mention the hospital bills. I told him my plan to create this fundraising campaign, and, even though he feels uneasy getting help, he agreed to let me do this and is grateful to me just for trying to help. I know he will be so appreciative of whatever people are able and willing to give. I want nothing more than to surprise him with all the help we can give. So, I humbly and respectfully ask everyone who sees this to please send what you can or are inspired to send. We genuinely will be grateful for any amount whatsoever. Please do not feel just a dollar isn't enough because your dollar, prayers, well wishes, and kind thoughts are huge blessings to my family and me which we will always be thankful for. Times are tough on all right now so thank you for even just taking the time to read this and to send positive thoughts and prayers.

The money you so generously donate will go 100% to my dad and mom. The only reason I am doing this is my dad doesn't know how to do things on a computer or even his smart phone. Plus, honestly, even though he knows I'm doing this and gave me permission to do this, I really don't think he would do this for himself out of pride. I'm going to keep helping him to make sure we can get his hotel paid for as well as the ambulance and hospital bills. Even if we receive double our donation goal, it will not cover all the expenses. This is not to try to guilt anyone or be a shameless push for more donations. I just want to make sure everyone knows how their money will be used and the goal is really to get his massive hotel bill paid and maybe cover the ambulance ride back to Wenatchee which he was told will be about $6,000 at least. Having said all of that, I would be more than happy to answer questions, show proof of where the money goes, or anything people want to know. I definitely would never take that personal or in a negative way. Unfortunately, there are too many people in the world looking to take advantage of people's kindness and generosity, and I get why people are and really should be skeptical. I know that's true of me so I'd be a horrible hypocrite to not understand and respond to any inquiries before you donate.

I wish I was personally in a position to cover my parent's bills. Like my dad, I hate to ask others for help, especially to ask for money, of all things. However, my love for my dad and mom are far stronger than my pride. So it is with the utmost humility and hopefulness that I ask for help from any of you who feel moved to do so without putting your ability to care for your family and people counting on you in jeopardy. I absolutely understand we all have a responsibility to care for our immediate family and would never want anyone to put that at risk to help me or my family. So, one last thank you and a request to share this with as many people as you can too please.