Pat Ross's Medical Fund
Donation protected
This has been updated as of Dec 2015.
This GoFundMe is for Patrick Ross, father, husband, caretaker and former owner of Sandhill Farm in Gainesville, FL and Garden Manager at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. This site was created by his son, Blake, to help pay medical expenses for his dad.
After the passing of his mother in Dec 2014 Pat got the opportunity to celebrate her memory and life by embarking on a lifelong dream of his own to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Pat brought to this endeavor all of the passion and levity for which he is known. He was an inspiration and example to his fellow climbers, leading the way with his calm strength and stories. On the morning of New Year's Day 2015 Pat successfullly reach Uhuru Peak, summiting the highest point onMt. Kilimanja.
Unfortunately the celebrations were cut short. As Pat descended down the mountain he began to suffer rapidly increasing stomach pain, the severity of which eventually rendered him unable to walk. Evacuated down the remaining portion the mountain in a wheeled litter by a group of his team's porters, Pat's condition continued to worsen. Upon reaching the bottom Pat was transported to a local hospital in Moshi, Tanzania for examination. There it was discovered that he had suffered the spontaneous tear of an ulcer in his duadenum which was allowing his intestinal contents to leak into his abdomen. This led to the rapid onset of septic shock and placed him in critical condition. Unable to be evacuated to Nairobi due to darkness it was necessary that he receive emergency surgery in Tanzania. The result of this surgery was a partial success. The tear was located and temporarily closed and the abdomen was cleaned of the toxic contents. Tragically however, Pat suffered a stroke during the surgery and went into a coma.
The next day he was transported by aeromedical ambulance to Nairobi, Kenya, where he underwent a second surgery and extensive therapy for the sepsis that was killing him. He remained in critical condition and in a coma for nearly four days before he regained consciousness.
His son Chaney, who was also on the trip, managed the evacuation and organization of care and traveled with Pat off the mountain and remained by his side all the way to Nairobi where he continued to oversee care and treament. Pat's insurance was not accepted in either Tanzania or Kenya and payment was required prior to any care being delivered. As Pat's condition was incredibly severe, ultimately requiring three surgeries, continuous antibiotics, and intensive care monitering for more than two weeks before he was deemed healthy enough to be repatriated on 17 January 2015. Costs were extraordinary, amounting to over $50,000.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro has been a lifelong dream of Pats and we couldn't be more proud that he achieved his goal shortly after his 60th birthday. Creating the opportunity for Pat was a mountain in itself and has taken many years of saving and hard work to make happen. As he was in excellent health at his departure, this outcome was not what anyone expected.
For those of you who may not have known Pat closely or haven't seen him in awhile, all we can say is that he never stops working for his family and for his community, most recently his students at Warren Wilson College. He has taught many how to love people and to care about the Earth. We are so gratefulto have Pat in our lives and imagine that there are many others out there who have as deep appreciation for him as we do.
The proceeds of this fundraiser have been used to help cover Pat's emergency medical bills and, most importantly now, his continued rehabilition costs, as well as support his immediate family as they do what they can to continue to help aid in his recovery now that he is home in North Carolina.
For those of you who donated from the beginning it cannot be said that your contributions were anything other than lifesaving for Pat. Without them we would not have been able to get him the immediate care necessary for his survival.
For those of you who have continued to provide help and support it means the world to Pat and us. It makes all of the difference as we seek therapy and rehabilitation beyond the limits of what is covered by insurance (30 sessions a year).
Truly anything helps. In particular, if you know any therapists, physicians, or programs that may be able to help please let us know. And, most of all, please send Pat your love and your prayers.
Thank you so much.
M
This GoFundMe is for Patrick Ross, father, husband, caretaker and former owner of Sandhill Farm in Gainesville, FL and Garden Manager at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, NC. This site was created by his son, Blake, to help pay medical expenses for his dad.
After the passing of his mother in Dec 2014 Pat got the opportunity to celebrate her memory and life by embarking on a lifelong dream of his own to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. Pat brought to this endeavor all of the passion and levity for which he is known. He was an inspiration and example to his fellow climbers, leading the way with his calm strength and stories. On the morning of New Year's Day 2015 Pat successfullly reach Uhuru Peak, summiting the highest point onMt. Kilimanja.
Unfortunately the celebrations were cut short. As Pat descended down the mountain he began to suffer rapidly increasing stomach pain, the severity of which eventually rendered him unable to walk. Evacuated down the remaining portion the mountain in a wheeled litter by a group of his team's porters, Pat's condition continued to worsen. Upon reaching the bottom Pat was transported to a local hospital in Moshi, Tanzania for examination. There it was discovered that he had suffered the spontaneous tear of an ulcer in his duadenum which was allowing his intestinal contents to leak into his abdomen. This led to the rapid onset of septic shock and placed him in critical condition. Unable to be evacuated to Nairobi due to darkness it was necessary that he receive emergency surgery in Tanzania. The result of this surgery was a partial success. The tear was located and temporarily closed and the abdomen was cleaned of the toxic contents. Tragically however, Pat suffered a stroke during the surgery and went into a coma.
The next day he was transported by aeromedical ambulance to Nairobi, Kenya, where he underwent a second surgery and extensive therapy for the sepsis that was killing him. He remained in critical condition and in a coma for nearly four days before he regained consciousness.
His son Chaney, who was also on the trip, managed the evacuation and organization of care and traveled with Pat off the mountain and remained by his side all the way to Nairobi where he continued to oversee care and treament. Pat's insurance was not accepted in either Tanzania or Kenya and payment was required prior to any care being delivered. As Pat's condition was incredibly severe, ultimately requiring three surgeries, continuous antibiotics, and intensive care monitering for more than two weeks before he was deemed healthy enough to be repatriated on 17 January 2015. Costs were extraordinary, amounting to over $50,000.
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro has been a lifelong dream of Pats and we couldn't be more proud that he achieved his goal shortly after his 60th birthday. Creating the opportunity for Pat was a mountain in itself and has taken many years of saving and hard work to make happen. As he was in excellent health at his departure, this outcome was not what anyone expected.
For those of you who may not have known Pat closely or haven't seen him in awhile, all we can say is that he never stops working for his family and for his community, most recently his students at Warren Wilson College. He has taught many how to love people and to care about the Earth. We are so gratefulto have Pat in our lives and imagine that there are many others out there who have as deep appreciation for him as we do.
The proceeds of this fundraiser have been used to help cover Pat's emergency medical bills and, most importantly now, his continued rehabilition costs, as well as support his immediate family as they do what they can to continue to help aid in his recovery now that he is home in North Carolina.
For those of you who donated from the beginning it cannot be said that your contributions were anything other than lifesaving for Pat. Without them we would not have been able to get him the immediate care necessary for his survival.
For those of you who have continued to provide help and support it means the world to Pat and us. It makes all of the difference as we seek therapy and rehabilitation beyond the limits of what is covered by insurance (30 sessions a year).
Truly anything helps. In particular, if you know any therapists, physicians, or programs that may be able to help please let us know. And, most of all, please send Pat your love and your prayers.
Thank you so much.
M
Organizer
Ross Family
Organizer
Swannanoa, NC