On June 21, 2025, what started as a peaceful ride home on a scorching hot day turned into the worst day of our lives. Rene and I were riding my 2006 Harley Davidson Road King back to Saint Francis, Minnesota, when we hit a buckle in the asphalt that was nearly impossible to see. In an instant, we were both thrown from the bike.

I woke up disoriented to sirens, bright lights, and strangers hovering over us. Rene was in critical condition and had to be airlifted to Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC), where she stayed for 3 long weeks. She suffered a severe concussion, a skull fracture that required staples, four fractured vertebrae involving discs (requiring spinal surgery), and a broken arm in two places now held together with plates and screws. She’s still in a body brace, facing more surgeries and a long road of rehab ahead.

I was taken by ambulance to Cambridge Medical Center, then life flighted to HCMC. I had severe road rash and snapped tendons in my left hand that needed surgery and pins. Rene’s air ambulance alone was over $47,000, and I still haven’t seen my Life Flight bill.

Before all this, our lives were filled with fishing, boating, enjoying the cabin, and riding together. Now, everything has stopped. Rene is retired, and I’m on disability from my job at Federal Cartridge until I can use my hand again.

And just when we thought things couldn’t get harder, two weeks ago Rene was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer—the same disease that took her brother’s life just three months ago. Today, she underwent surgery to have a port placed for IV treatments and medications. Recently, when her back stitches were removed, the incision split open—requiring another surgery to clean the wound and close it with staples. Avoiding infection is critical as she begins her cancer treatments.

It’s so hard for us to ask for help—especially financial help—but we truly are at one of the hardest points in our lives, relying on any kindness, donations, and prayers we can get to keep going.

~Jim 🙏 Thank you from the bottom of my heart