Recent College Graduate and Cancer Survivor Anya Magnuson Was Struck By An SUV. Now, She Is Fighting To Recover Again.
On October 22, Anya Magnuson was struck by an SUV while crossing the street. According to police officers, Magnuson was thrown more than thirty feet. She sustained multiple serious injuries.
Kathy Shipp has organized a GoFundMe to support Magnuson and her family through the recovery process.
Magnuson sustained severe fractures in her femur, pelvis, tibia, fibula, and at the base of her skull. She also is battling a traumatic brain injury.
This accident is particularly frightening because of Magnuson’s medical history.
She graduated from Arizona State University while battling cancer, and- despite four brain surgeries, two spinal biopsies, and in-patient chemotherapy- Magnuson completed various professional internships in the journalism field.
She had only just begun highly successful cancer treatment at the Mayo Clinic before being hit. She had been taking advantage of the time that she had lost during her college years by reconnecting with friends.
Her last six months “have been filled with get-togethers, nights out, family trips, work, and more.”
The week that she was struck, Magnuson was supposed to visit Chicago with two of her close friends.
GoFundMe; pictured above is Anya
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Following the accident, Magnuson was placed on a ventilator and was not very responsive. She sustained a brain bleed that doctors continued to monitor. Since then, Kathy Shipp has continued to post updates on the GoFundMe campaign.
As of November 12, Magnuson has begun breathing without a ventilator for just a few days. Still, Shipp says it is hard to provide an accurate picture of the situation since it is so complicated.
“It’s difficult to do justice to the complexity of Anya’s situation without oversimplifying the reality- which is way more complicated than a ‘thumbs up,'” Shipp wrote, “Anya has started talking, just a word or two at a time, and in a nearly inaudible whisper. Most of the time, she’s still in what I’d call a semiconscious state.”
Magnuson still has a long way to go in the recovery process. Her next steps include surgery to repair the orbital fracture and another leg surgery.
“Although much is unknown at this point, we do know that Anya’s recovery will be measured in weeks to months or years. Even with insurance, the costs will be substantial,” Shipp wrote on the GoFundMe.
The GoFundMe had a goal of forty-thousand dollars. The community has banded together to show Magnuson love and support.
The fundraiser has just surpassed its goal and continues upward.
“Anya and her family make the world a better place. We can’t wait to see your spunky and hard-working self outside of the hospital setting soon! Prayers and well-wishes for you and your family,” wrote Penny Teder, who donated three hundred dollars.
“Anya, we are cheering your warrior spirit to heal you! Loving thoughts to you and your family,” wrote Lynn Fox, who donated one-hundred dollars.
If you would like to donate to Magnuson’s recovery, you can visit the GoFundMe link. Magnuson also has a CaringBridge site if you would like to follow her journey. There, journal updates are posted nearly every day.
More About:Human Interest
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