Financial support has been pouring in forMary Lou Rettonas the former Olympic gymnast is “fighting for her life” in the intensive care unit.
Since her daughter McKenna Kelley shared the news Tuesday that her 55-year-old mother has been in the ICU for “over a week” with a rare form of pneumonia, fans of the former Olympian have quintupled the family’s fundraising goal in less than 24 hours.
As of Wednesday morning, theSpotfundpage has raised more than $250,000 from over 4,000 donors.
What’s more, Retton’s generous backers have offered more than just their financial support. Comments on the fundraiser have been pouring in with thoughtful messages for Retton and her family to accompany the donations.
One user who donated $20 to Retton said, “GET WELL MARY LOU!! You are America’s Sweet Heart and we are all rooting for you!”
Mary Lou Retton on Dancing with the Stars.Eric McCandless via Getty
Eric McCandless via Getty
An anonymous donor pledged $100 to Retton and commented, “During the summer of 1984, I was 11 years old and we had just lost our family home in a house fire. Mary Lou’s brilliant performance at the Olympics was the one spot of joy and inspiration during that difficult time. Please get well soon, Mary Lou.”
Another $50 donor said, “Mary Lou took a lot of personal risks from which the US benefitted. I wish we had providing her the safety of national health insurance.”
Kelley, along with her three sisters Shayla, Skyla and Emma, shared the Spotfund page on their Instagram stories Tuesday.
David Livingston/Getty
“My amazing mom, Mary Lou, has a very rare form of pneumonia and is fighting for her life,” McKenna wrote in a message on the fundraising page. “She is not able to breathe on her own. She’s been in the ICU for over a week now. Out of respect for her and her privacy, I will not disclose all details. However, I will disclose that she not insured.”
“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill,” she continued.
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Mary Lou Retton on DWTS.Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Eric McCandless/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Retton was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 1997. She also had a park and street named for her in her hometown of Fairview, West Virginia.
She and ex-husband Shannon Kelley share their four daughters.
source: people.com
