Help Get a Life-Saving Patch

Nearly four years ago, our friend Bonnie suffered what seemed like a minor bump on the head. But it quickly turned into a medical mystery, then catastrophe struck.

A head and spine injury occurred, and like many Americans suffering through our medical and insurance systems, virtually impregnable struggles to pinpoint the injury and potential cures have been faced. The good news is that there's hope. The bad news is there are not enough funds to seek out the much needed medical help.

Thanks to hundreds of friends like you, we have raised almost $120,000 through this page to cover medical costs, transportation, hotels and the most basic living expenses. Long sold are Bonnie’s furniture, bikes and most belongings, all going towards medical bills.

Our goal is to raise additional funds – up to at least $150,000 – so that resources and breathing room are available through 2025. Specifically, now that doctors have identified the injury, our friend is trying relentlessly to get it fixed. Hopefully either blood procedures or exploratory surgery will seal the wound and facilitate a return to the active healthy life once enjoyed, up until that fateful injury.

This will not be an easy task. Doctors have made several attempts, yet none have been successful yet. CSF leaks are also notoriously difficult to fix. We know of one specific patient for which it took 99 patches before success (gulp!) but with #99, he’s back on his feet, enjoying life.

This is just the outcome we want for our friend. Before this injury, she was an inspiration and resource for many who were getting into adventure cycling and endurance athletics. She has always been a smiling, inspiring person, ready to get out there and experience all this beautiful world has to offer – and help others do the same thing.

Please join us by donating as much as you can, as soon as you can. Right now, she continues to be laid up, barely able to get out of bed. Let’s support her so she can get that much needed medical help, sit upright, walk out the door and get back into the great outdoors.

Thanks again, and please don’t hesitate to send us any questions or thoughts you have.

Jon & Kathy Rudolf

Jim Sayer

Steve O'Shaughnessy

Doug Burris

Kris Wheeler