Online donors have stepped up to help a local family after 21-year-old Sudbury native Jonathan Cole had a sudden cardiac arrest while living in British Columbia.
The young man, who is on life support as he becomes an organ donor, is in the final hours of his life.
While nothing can be done to save Cole’s life, a GoFundMe online fundraiser has been set up on the family’s behalf to cover their expenses at this difficult time.
His mother and stepfather, Stacy and Brent Wright, hope to bring Cole home so he can be laid to rest in his own community.
Nearly $30,000 has been raised so far. Donations have come in from across the world.
In the early morning on May 2, Cole's parents were awoken to a call no parent wants to receive. Just shy of his 22nd birthday, Cole had gone into cardiac arrest and was now on life support.
Angela Faubert, a close family friend who began the GoFundMe, was amazed by the response.
Donations didn’t just come in from friends, family and teachers, but “from many parts of Asia and Europe as well,” she said.
“I looked at it and there was the first one at $50. I looked again, not even three minutes later, and it was up over a couple $1,000.”
Soon after, she was able to call Cole’s mother and announce the fundraising had grown to $4,000. Then again, just as Wright’s flight was landing in British Columbia, Faubert called her once again. The amount was then at $17,000. “She just burst into tears,” said Faubert.
Faubert says it is a testament to people’s innate goodness, but also, Cole’s personality.
Known as “Chubby” since childhood, Cole was an artist, and someone who Faubert says has “the biggest heart you’ve ever seen.”
His mother rushed to his side as soon as she could, but he did not recover. He is now giving the gift of organ donation so that others may live better lives.
The fundraising will ensure that Cole can come home to be laid to rest where his family can be near with him. Cole leaves behind his mother and stepfather, his father Mike Cole, brother Tyler Cole and two step-siblings, Mackenzie and Carter Wright, as well as many beloved friends.
“Just the flights for mom and grandma going down there were $1,200 each way,” said Faubert. “$5,000 in flights, then on top of that, they need to be up there for about two weeks.” That’s not to mention the cost of flying Cole home. “We don't know exact numbers, but we were told that is approximately $10,000 just to bring him back.”
The family is overwhelmed with gratitude at the donations and the caring messages they have received from community members. “We really are so grateful for everything,” says Faubert.
“The messages from his schools, the teachers, the donations even from people we have never met, it’s amazing.”
If you would like to donate to the fund, you can find it here.