Bill Kurnath

Welcome to our Help Hope Live fundraising campaign site. We, Bill Kurnath’s family and friends, are raising money to pay for uninsured medical expenses associated with his spinal cord injury. Please read more about Bill and why we’ve selected this organization below. Thanks for visiting and for supporting Bill to ensure his recovery is as successful as possible.

Thank you for your support!
___________________________________________

Bill’s Story

On November 29, 2012, I was in a car accident in Cleveland, OH. The talented staff at Cleveland’s Metro Health Trauma Center rushed me into emergency surgery to relieve pressure on my spinal cord at the C-4 level. After spending a month in the SICU, my company, ECHO Health, donated the funds to fly me home to New Jersey via Angel Med Flight. I then spent 5 months at Kessler Rehab facility in West Orange, NJ for intensive spinal cord specific rehabilitation. I have made excellent progress.

I live at The Cheshire Home, 9 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park, NJ 07032, which is a small residential type facility specializing in traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries. I have a private room and enjoy the more home like atmosphere of The Cheshire Home. I get therapy 5 days per week and have independence with my power wheel chair. I look forward to gaining even more as I work hard with therapy.

Beyond the immediate care I am receiving at Cheshire, I know I will need ongoing therapy, a modified van for transport, and home modifications. Based on the information we’ve received so far, the estimates for my expenses approach $700K this first year, and more than $100K per year thereafter. I will continue to update both this page and my CaringBridge site with progress.

I have chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility to the full extent allowed by law for donors. Donors can be sure that funds donated will be used only to pay or reimburse medically-related expenses. To make a donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Donate Now button.

For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.

Thank you for all your support, both financial and emotional, as I face this challenge head-on.