Help April & Her Family As They Fight Covid

Hi, my name is Julia & I live in Fairbanks, Alaska. The pandemic has been tough for people all over the country. It’s especially hard for people who are getting Covid now, after all the government supports have expired.

I would love to introduce you to my science loving best friend, April, whose entire family is fighting Covid right now!

She talks fast when she’s excited, gets frustrated with bad drivers & takes in senior dogs to foster & adopt, so their final days aren’t spent at a shelter. April is an amazing friend & I am doing this fundraiser to replace some of the money she would have earned, if she had sick leave available.

Last week I got a series of texts that made my heart sink. First one son had Covid and her husband Sean had symptoms, then 24 hours later Sean was positive and April had symptoms, then all four of them were positive.

Then last night my heart broke when her husband was taken alone by ambulance, & admitted to the ICU. These are the people who I have always trusted to be at least as careful about precautions as me. When the pandemic started, they all told me they wanted to be in my bubble, so they were going to take every precaution the CDC recommended, so they could help protect me, since I am immunocompromised. When I got Covid right before Christmas, they brought groceries & wrapped the soup cans, when I was barely eating.

The whole family kept that pledge to be are full and follow scientific best practices. I have been grateful to have them in my bubble. Both April & one son work at the hospital & Sean works IT. Their eldest son always has a mask on when I run into him at his supermarket job. They believe in science and did everything right!

I’m sad today because none of us can go see Sean in the ICU. None of his family can go see him because they are Covid positive. I can’t go see him because it’s too close to my scheduled colonoscopy. I will drop off a card when I have a blood test, if he’s still there Friday, but it doesn’t feel like I’m doing enough.

I know that everyday April is home, it’s putting a strain on their finances. April is partially disabled & is limited to working 24 hours/week. When she first switched to that schedule she was receiving benefits, but the hospital cut benefits for part-time employees, so she doesn’t get health insurance or paid sick time from her work anymore. Their family can’t afford to have her out of work, but her PCR is still positive & she is symptomatic & needs to be able to peacefully rest. I find myself crying because I feel so helpless.

Every dollar helps, when bills need to be paid. I appreciate any help that you are able to give!