Aviv Litov, a passionate cyclist, athlete, chef, baker, beloved friend and kind human was doing what he loved most—riding his bicycle—when a car turned into the bike lane he was riding in causing a crash that left him with broken back and a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). In an instant, everything changed. The crash didn’t just break bones—it shattered life as he knew it.
His life was saved by the paramedics of Medic One and the amazing trauma team at Harborview Trauma and Medical Center in Seattle. He was intubated at the scene, spent 8 days in the ICU and was an inpatient at Harborview for 2 months.
He survived the initial trauma, but his journey is far from over. Now, he needs your help to take the next step toward recovery.
Aviv still sees his doctors and rehab team weekly at Harborview but he’s hit a plateau and we have been researching and finding solid and promising options for next steps for healing. Unfortunately, most of these therapies are not covered by insurance.
The Daily Battle After Brain Injury
Aviv’s TBI caused two major neurological impairments that have persisted and have major limiting impacts on his life:
• Left homonymous hemianopsia: loss of vision in the left field of both eyes (blindness on the left half of each eye, so no left peripheral vision), making navigation and everyday tasks extremely challenging. He won’t be able to drive, and cycling and other similar activities will be very limited.
• Left-sided hemiparesis and hemiplegia: weakness and partial paralysis on the entire left side of his body, negatively affecting his ability to walk, ride, move, and function independently.
He is working incredibly hard every day in physical and occupational therapy—but there’s only so much conventional medicine can do at this point.
A Promising Treatment—But Not a Covered One
There is real hope: Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has shown encouraging results in helping TBI survivors like Aviv restore neurological function, reduce inflammation, and improve cognitive and physical outcomes.
There are case studies including in the VA (Veterans Administration) that have shown vision coming back from hemianopsia with the correct intensive protocols. We are hoping Aviv will be another successful case study.
After much exploration we discovered a program with years of research using HBOT to treat many issues including and especially TBI and stroke. This program is intensive, research based, and includes daily physical therapy, vision therapy, exercise therapy, cognitive therapy and occupational therapy. It’s primary location is part of a large hospital system and has now expanded to private clinics as well which are incidentally called “Aviv Clinics”. It also includes functional MRI’s, physical exams, blood work and fitness testing pre and post treatment. Please look at the amazing things they are doing and the many video’s of success. The program is a committed 3 ½ months, 5 days per week.
Unfortunately, HBOT and therefore this program is not covered by insurance for treatment of brain injuries. Every session includes HBOT and physical, cognitive and occupational therapy 5 days per week for 60 sessions minimum. Each day/session costs around $285, and Aviv needs a full course of 60 or more sessions to give him the best shot at healing. That means the cost, including imaging and tests—about $24,000—must come entirely out of pocket. We will also need funds for travel and living expenses (ie Airbnb) because none of these facilities are located near us. We are also open to alternative offers for housing, for those in the area.
At this point in time with medicine, HBOT is the only treatment that we found that offers hope for healing hemianopsia. We know it will help improve his left sided paralysis, movement and cognitive functioning.
Family and friends of Aviv Litov are raising money for the 501c3 nonprofit Help Hope Live (The Northwest Catastrophic Injury Fund) to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with catastrophic injuries. Aviv has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors, has a top rating with Charity Navigator, and will only be used to cover medical and treatment related expenses.
How You Can Make a Difference
• Donate today—every contribution brings Aviv a little closer to healing.
• Share this campaign with your community and network. Please see if your employer has a program for matching gifts to non-profit organizations. You would be donating to Help Hope Live in honor of Aviv to cover his medical bills, not directly to Aviv.
• Leave a message of support to keep Aviv’s spirits strong.
• Alternative methods of support such as help with housing and/or logistics are also welcome.
We are grateful for the support received so far, however due to the seriousness of Aviv’s injuries, we feel we have limited options and are choosing to ask for financial help through the wider social networks we hope to reach.
Thank you for standing with Aviv on his road to recovery. Together, we can help him pedal forward again—toward healing, hope, and a second chance at life.
