A Letter to our Readers:

Dear Friends and Family,

We are writing to you today on behalf of a special friend of ours, Jessie Owen of Bothell, Washington. Jessie is a vibrant 27-year-old sixth grade teacher. On December 21, 2012, the unthinkable happened. Jessie and her family were traveling by car when a snow-covered tree crashed onto their SUV killing both of her parents, Tim and Cheryl Owen, and causing severe injury to herself, her sister Jaime and brother- in- law Steven. Her brother, Jeremy received bruises and a concussion. Jessie suffered a spinal cord injury and is now paralyzed from her shoulders down.

Since her accident, Jessie has learned how to use Dragon voice activated software, Quad Joy, a mouse she directs with her mouth and drives her electric wheelchair with her chin. She is in intensive rehabilitative therapy on a daily basis and has the determination of an Olympic athlete to make as much progress as anyone can In spite of the many struggles that she faces, Jessie remains hopeful that she will be able to return to a productive life in the community through the support of family and friends.

Even with insurance there are many expenses related to Jessie’s injury that must be paid out of pocket. Some of these are co-pays, deductibles, home modifications, a wheel chair accessible van, additional rehabilitation, adaptive equipment, a caregiver and many others. This is where your help is needed.

A fundraising campaign in Jessie’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax-deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Northwest Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for injury-related expenses only. Please consider making a contribution:

Make checks payable to: HelpHOPELive

Note in memo section: In honor of Jessie Owen

Please send to: HelpHOPELive

2 Radnor Corporate Center

100 Matsonford Road, Suite 100

Radnor, PA 19087

For credit card contributions, please call 800.642.8399 or visit helphopelive.org and enter Jessie Owen in the “Find a Patient” box on the home page.

Our fundraising committee is just forming and we are planning a series of events. We can use your ideas, help and support. Please contact us.

On behalf of Jessie and her family, we thank you for your generosity, kindness and prayers.

Friends of Jessie Owen

lovetheowens@gmail.com

Contributions are tax deductible to the extent allowed by the law. This campaign is administered by HelpHOPELive (National Transplant Assistance Fund, Inc.), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit providing fundraising assistance to transplant and catastrophic injury patients. Information: 800.642.8399.

Information relating to the financial affairs of HelpHOPELive (National Transplant Assistance Fund, Inc.) is available from the Secretary of State, and the toll-free number for Washington residents is 1.800.332.4483.