Main fundraiser photo

Rissa’s rally against death Stroke! Fix.Her.Heart.

Donation protected
Rissa Kilar: Hollywood Stunt Double, World Champion, ATA Black Belt, Military brat, Harry Potter Enthusiast, Instructor, Mentor, Daughter, Stroke Victim?! 

 
Rissa is a 23 year old girl, born in Pensacola, Florida, and now residing in Macon, Georgia. She is, in almost all ways, is a normal, healthy, super active, and amazing athlete …with one big exception:

 

She is in the fight of her life with a recent stroke. Yes… a 23 year old girl who had a STROKE. She now struggles to speak, walk and function like never before. Rissa has a long road to recovery and needs your help.

 

Doctors believe her stroke was due to a heart condition that she was born with called Ebstein's anomaly. Rissa and her family fought the odds by enrolling her in martial arts, staying active and living a full life. Unfortunately, she can no longer do the things she once did. 

 
Despite her condition and losing many normal functions, which most of us take for granted, Rissa remains very optimistic. You can see from her photos in the hospital that she is all smiles and has a positive attitude.

Her life has changed overnight.  

Before her stroke, she was a professional athlete, black belt in taekwondo and Hollywood stunt double who loved to move, kick, flip and perform. 


She has won multiple world titles in martial arts, graced the movie sets of hollywood and blessed the lives of small children as a martial arts instructor who enjoyed sharing her passion with the little ones she had the privilege of teaching.

 
She will be facing months, possibly years, of recovery and physical therapy. Below is a short quote from her instagram right after her stroke:


“A few days ago, I suffered a stroke. I couldn’t talk and my right arm wasn’t doing what I was telling it to. Tim noticed something was wrong and I was able to pull out my phone to dial 911 and pointed at myself so that Tim ( my boyfriend) would call the ambulance. Luckily, between Tim and a phone call with my parents, the doctors were able to give me the medicine needed to combat the stroke within the critical 3 hour window. 

 

As some know, I have a congenital heart condition called Ebstein's anomaly. It’s pretty much where a small portion of my heart chamber doesn’t close properly. The doctor’s are thinking that is what caused my stroke. They believe the valve didn’t close properly and the blood was sent to my brain resulting in a clot and stroke. 

 

I have been in the hospital for a few days now but with the help of my doctors and nurses, I have been resting well. The good news is, I can move, talk, and type. However, I am having some difficulty trying to communicate quickly. I am trying my best to be patient with my recovery and therapy.

 

I am thankful that my boyfriend, brother, and mom are here with me. My brother and my mom flew out immediately after receiving word of my stroke. My dad will be flying out to be with me next week in person, but he has been with me every step of the way researching and sending me articles of inspirational recoveries. 

 

I am thankful that I was able to get my medicine in time. Now I can begin my long journey to recover. My goals are to speak with more complete sentences and to kick again. With enough patience and the help of my loved ones, I will make progress. “

Stroke of luck: Rissa fights effects of deathStroke & heart condition.
 

All donations will go toward her long  recovery and medical costs. As part of your donation we will do our best to maintain regular updates and let you know how Rissa is doing, as well as informing you of how your generous donation will be used to support her. 

 

Thank you for your support, both monetary and spiritual. Regardless of the method in which you decide to help, please know that it is both needed and welcomed. 
Donate

Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $250
    • 5 yrs
Donate

Fundraising team: Kilar’s Korner (4)

Rachel Kilar
Organizer
San Antonio, TX
Rissa Kilar
Beneficiary
Walter Kilar
Team member
Tim Conkel
Team member

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the GoFundMe Giving Guarantee