Support the Southwick Family

Gabriela and Andrew Southwick teach at Sunlake High School and are cherished by co-workers and students alike. Andrew teaches math and Gabby teaches American Sign Language.  They have one amazing daughter, Emersyn, who recently turned four-years-old. The pandemic did not stop the Southwicks from returning to their classrooms. They are dedicated to their students and came back ready to face the unknown of teaching in the time of Covid. Then, last month the unthinkable occurred.

"Em started with a headache a few weeks ago, which slowly devolved into a stomach bug according to the ER. After too much pain and no end in sight, the ER did a CT scan a week later and found the abnormalities on her brain. MRI shows lesions on her brain and spine: stage 4 medulloblastoma. A tumor has already been removed from her ventricle in the cerebellum, but chemotherapy is our best shot and should start at the end of the week. We are blindsided and devastated but are not willing to accept defeat. We have not received any good news, but we will do anything and everything to keep Emersyn with us." - From Gabby

Co-workers have been doing what they can to lend support to these beloved teachers, from gift cards to sick time contributions. It won’t be enough. The entire community is being asked to come together and help Andrew, Gabby and Emersyn on the long road they have ahead of them. As two teachers, the Southwicks live a rewarding life of service to the community, but their income is modest. Andrew works part time at a local restaurant, bartending to help support their family. Both Gabby and Andrew have been at Emersyn's bedside through weeks of tests, surgeries, and complications. Let’s try to alleviate pressure from bills and lost wages, so both of Emersyn’s parents can focus only on her and her fight.