The Fearless Blogger

It’s something we don’t think about, but it could happen to any of us – or to our friends, siblings, siblings, children – traveling in a foreign country, injured in a accident, unable to get home for medical treatment.

That’s what happened to Hollis Hawthorne. I don’t know Hollis (known to her family as Holli), but saw details on a NY benefit on Facebook. One of the perks of having a blog is that it gives me an opportunity to add my voice when someone needs help spreading the word, to reach out to as many potential helping hands as possible. This is one of those situations.

This article in the San Francisco Bay Guardian, written by Hollis’s friend Molly Freedenberg , shares the story:

The 31-year-old dancer, artist, and activist was in a tragic motorcycle accident near Pondicherry on February 24, which left her with severe head injuries and in a coma. As of today, she is at Apollo Hospital in Chennai and still unconscious, though she’s finally breathing on her own. Her prognosis is still unknown.

Like many Americans, Hollis doesn’t have health insurance and had no travel insurance. Through miracles and the dedication of her community, including Dr. Susan Bailey of St. Luke’s Hospital, the American consulate is doing what they can to finance her care in India, and Stanford University has offered to take her on as a charity case once she’s back in the States. But it’s up to Hollis’s friends and family to raise the funds to transport her – a cost that could be as much as $200,000.
Her family has re-mortgaged their Tennessee home (which they’d just paid off), but the value is only a drop in the bucket. And thanks to the economy, the Hawthornes can’t seem to secure a loan. The good news is that Hollis has an extensive and loving community who are dedicated to the cause, having raised more than $20,000 in just under a week, with more than 350 individual donors from all over the states. Her friends are organizing fundraisers in Portland, New York, Oakland, and SF.

Though medical care in India is certainly first rate, the families of Hollis and Harrison have decided the best thing would be to get her to Stanford. She’s also been cleared to fly as soon as funds can be raised. With time of particular essence in cases of brain injury, her community hopes to get the money as soon as possible.

Want to help? First and foremost, spread the word. Second, donate! We need to get Hollis home now. Can you spare $5? $500? Can you guarantee the cost of the flight now, to be reimbursed by the many fundraisers planned in the next few months? Do you have a plane or experienced medical staff you could donate? Every bit helps. Anyone interested in donating money, time, or resources – particularly access to less expensive air travel – should email me at molly@sfbg.com.

Please take a moment to help spread the word using the Twitter button below.


If you have money to spare, consider making a donation using this chip-in widget.
(Please note that donations go to a PayPal account set up by Hollis’s friends & family – I don’t have access or control to the funds)

For details & background on the accident: www.friendsofhollis.blogspot.com
For updates on her health status: www.helpholligethome.blogspot.com

(Donations can also be collected at both sites.)

 Link to this page

 Link to this page

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