Fundraising efforts continue to support a Fort St. John teen severely injured after a sledding accident in March.
Just over $82,000 has been raised in six days for Tegan Nielsen, who suffered a severe spinal cord injury after falling off of a toboggan she was riding on March 19, according to a post on the crowdfunding website GoFundMe.
The 14-year-old remains in ICU at the BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver. Donations will help with the family’s medical costs and home and vehicle modifications to support Nielsen’s recovery.
“As you can imagine this is every parent’s worst nightmare and an absolutely unbelievable, life changing, situation for this sweet teenage girl to endure,” organizers said in the post.
“Those of you who know her well, know she is strong, physically and mentally, and is incredibly determined. Her quiet, persistent work ethic has driven her to succeed in many aspects of her life so far and, no doubtingly, will be what guides her through the many challenges that lay ahead alongside the care and support of her close-knit family.
"We all wish we could go back in time and prevent this terrible accident from ever happening. We all have feelings of helplessness and frustration as we watch the Nielsen family navigate through this tremendously difficult time. They are a private family that would prefer not to ask for help but the seriousness of Tegan’s injuries will have an impact far too great for any one family to shoulder.
"She is an amazing, thoughtful, spunky, polite, beautiful young lady just beginning to experience what life has to offer. Anyone who has met her knows that she is intelligent, kind and witty and has a passion for swimming that has developed over the years and her commitment highlights her dedication, determination and drive.
Those feelings are also shared by her coach, Josh Sorensen, with the Inconnu swim club.
"She is an outstanding young person. She works hard. An amazing friend to everyone. Incredibly determined. It's tough to not be able to fix the situation. You can't really do anything, but send well wishes. As a club, we're all sitting and waiting and hoping for the best."
Described, by her coach, as a a promising sprinter, freestyler, and backstroker, the 14-year-old competed at Divisionals in Penticton earlier this year.
Sorensen says the club is looking into ways to help raise more money for the Go Fund Me page already set up.
The campaign has a $500,000 fundraising goal. To learn more, click here.
