Nick Lanners- Support for Family and Recovery

UPDATE #3-- We blew the $30,000 goal out of the water on the morning of Day #2. We are not even sure what to post for a realistic goal because so many people have been donating to Nick and Heather, it is amazing. For now, we are going to set it at $40,000. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this fundraiser, so far!

UPDATE #2: We doubled our goal of $22,000 as of this morning and we will update the goal again to $30,000. This is an amazing response to Nick's story. Thank you!!

UPDATE: We chose to make $11k the goal because 11 was Nicks football number. Wow, we never thought that we would have beat that goal in just 5 hours time. We know that they will need so much more, so let’s see if we can’t double that!!! So proud to be part of this amazing community. #lannersstrong

Hello, our names are Joel Swenson and Jamie Morford. We coached Nick as a player and he is a long-time assistant coach in the Royalton football program. We are starting this GoFundMe page to help Nick and his family as he recovers from the accident. We are doing this in conjunction with his family, friends, and co-workers at the St. Cloud Correctional Facility.

On Wednesday, July 13th, Nick was on his way to work when he was involved in a severe motor vehicle accident. He was stopped at a stop sign and rear-ended at high speed. Nick’s vehicle was immediately approached by two personnel who, fortunately for Nick, were healthcare professionals and knew exactly what to do to keep his neck stable and airway open until emergency responders arrived. Nick was then air-lifted to the St. Cloud hospital. Upon arrival, Nick had very little sensation in his arms and no feeling from the chest down. Nick was able to talk, breathe on his own and could shrug his shoulders. A CT Scan indicated a severe fracture of his C5 spine. He was quickly brought to the OR to remove the bone and decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots. The surgery lasted a few hours, and he was brought to the ICU with his breathing tube still in place. Over the next few days, the ICU staff tried hard to get Nick breathing independently to lower his sedation and get the tube out. With the trauma from the accident, along with the swelling from the surgery, the nerve that helps control his diaphragm isn’t signaling him to breathe on his own just yet. We are asking for continued prayers as Nick has a long, challenging journey ahead of him. Those who know him know he is a strong, determined person.

Nick faces a long road ahead, and these funds will help with travel, lodging, gas, and other unforeseen expenses that will arise in the coming months. Nick will likely have months of in-patient recovery and rehabilitation. This fundraiser is being started so Heather and their family do not have to worry about where the money for the next tank of gas comes from, or where they can find lodging so they can be with Nick as much as possible during his recovery.

Nick has done so much for so many people. This GoFundMe is a chance for all of us to support Nick and his family as he recovers from his injuries. Nick is tough and determined, and he will overcome the challenges that lie ahead. #Lannersstrong

Updates will be given on the Caringbridge site that Heather started. The Caringbridge site is: https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/nicklanners

Thank you for supporting Nick and his family during his recovery!

Joel Swenson & Jamie Morford