Fundraiser for the Gearhart Family

Alex Justin and Jessica (Taylor) Gearhart have been fighting an uphill battle for over a year because Alex desperately needed a liver. On October 10th, 2021, he received the gift of life and was given a liver! From that moment, it has been a whirlwind of emotions for the Gearharts. While they were grateful for the call, their heart ached for the family who lost a loved one and the donor who made this all possible, and that reality will never be lost on them.

Fortunately, we are over a week post-transplant and Alex is doing well. He has been working hard to hit all of his milestones. It has not been easy and there have definitely been setbacks, but he keeps fighting.

The Gearharts know that they could never have made it this far without the help and support of family, friends, and the entire transplant team, but they have a very long road ahead of them. Alex has been out of work for over a year now. Jessica, a Pre-Kindergarten teacher, has been the sole provider for their family. With the long road to recovery ahead for Alex, it could be over a year before he is able to work again. And to make matters worse, Alex has been denied disability and their family has not received the unemployment pandemic relief that has been distributed to most of the nation.

Alex and Jessica have a 5-year-old son, AJ, who has been diagnosed with a severe case of Autism. He cannot truly understand what is going on with his Dad and he cannot tell anyone how he feels. Nevertheless, Jessica has been there for her son physically and emotionally while tirelessly juggling AJ’s speech and occupational therapy, school, and daily visits to the hospital that is an hour and a half away from their home.

As I sit here and think about how stressful my days are juggling work and a family, I can’t imagine how she does it, but I know she cannot continue to do it without help. I am asking that anyone reading this post pray for the Gearhart family and if you are able to support their family through a kind donation to assist with the ongoing medical bills, on top of everyday finances; I know that the Gearhart family will be forever in your debt. For whatever support you are able to provide albeit through prayers and words of encouragement and/or a donation, we all thank you from the bottom of our hearts.