Help Kaelyn as she recovers from Rhabdomyolysis

Kaelyn Franco played sports her whole life, and has always been very motivated to stay healthy and fit. Kaelyn played soccer and softball at Waltham High School and was captain of both teams. She recently graduated from The University of Massachusetts Amherst with her degrees in Legal Studies and Psychology. While studying at UMass she joined soccer clubs and stayed very active throughout her academic years.

Upon recommendation to take a spin class, Kaelyn optimistically joined the class to be a part of something motivating. While doing the spin class, Kaelyn noticed weakness in her legs, and was in immense pain for a day, after finally deciding to go to the hospital to get it checked out. What seemed like muscle soreness, actually ended up being a life-threatening condition known as Rhabdomyolysis. Kaelyn’s condition escalated very quickly, and became life-threatening when she developed acute compartment syndrome in her right leg. Kaelyn was rushed into emergency surgery, and this surgery saved her leg, but most importantly— her life. Kaelyn is very grateful to her team at Newton-Wellesley, and all her doctors who worked hard to get her discharged and home. She is very lucky to be here, but the recovery for her is a slow-paced healing process. Kaelyn is still unable to walk on her own, drive, or use her right leg. She is on crutches, but anytime she needs to go out, needs to be on a wheelchair.

Please consider helping Kaelyn get back to her two feet as easily as possible. Kaelyn has been very active her whole life, and this all happened very suddenly, she never knew she would be dealing with something like this. Kaelyn is a very ambitious and a hard-working individual who has gone through so much in her life, yet has bounced back stronger and more hopeful. She is going to need to take her time to get through this recovery process, and any help would contribute to her medical bills, medical accommodations, time taken off from work, and as a way to get her back on her feet during this tough time of being hospitalized and recovering. Any help to Kaelyn is appreciated and means a lot. Thank you!