I am writing to express my gratitude for the support of many, many people in the community who responded in February to my daughter Clara Gardner’s appeal for donations to help her have osseointegration surgery in Australia. As many of you know from Dave Eisenstadter’s article in the Gazette Feb. 19, Clara had both legs amputated above the knee after she was hit by a drunk driver when she was 16 and she’s since had a long struggle trying to find a way to walk comfortably.
This surgery, not available in the United States, holds out hope for her of a future in which she can walk without pain. Within two weeks of starting her fundraiser, she had raised the money needed to supplement what family members were able to contribute, and before long she had raised more than her goal.
She is having the surgery May 4 and is incredibly grateful to all of the donors, whose generosity has made that possible. (The extra funds will be held in reserve in case she has unforeseen complications or future medical needs.)
Over 600 people donated, and for each and every donation, both Clara and I are grateful. We have tried to thank everyone individually but hope that we will be forgiven if some of you fall through the cracks.
There is however one particular “angel” whom we would like to thank. There was a very large donation made directly to Clara’s fund at Florence Savings Bank, the largest of the nonfamily donations. And we are unable to thank the donor because this donation was made anonymously.
It’s felt to me like a bit of unexpected grace, this large donation with no named donor. We send a special thank you to this “angel,” whoever you are!
At this time, when our world is filled with rhetoric of divisiveness and hatred, it is heartening to feel the power of human caring and community as evidenced by the outpouring of support for Clara.
Kate O’Kane
Wendell