Medivacked out of the Alaska Bush

My name is Barbra Donachy. I have had the privilege of working with Melody this year - a first-year teacher who is brand new to the Alaska bush. She is a dedicated mother and is on her way to becoming a great teacher.

With two weeks until the end of her first year teaching, she was struck with a medical emergency 250 air miles from the nearest hospital. The coast guard retrieved her from our tiny remote village and transported her to Kodiak where she received quick medical help to stabilize her.

Her insurance will defray some of the cost. But the unplanned costly expenses of flying her sister up from the lower 48 to watch her son along with hotel expenses for her while she is recovering in Anchorage will put her into a financial hole.

I am hoping to help Melody stay financially solvent as this was an extremely stressful event which is bound to cause more stress as she deals with the unplanned bills. She is a generous person, giving of her heart to all of her friends, her new colleagues, and all of her students. I hope we can come together to support her in this time of need.