Mike Jefferson is one of those rare people who makes everyone around him feel a little safer, a little lighter, and a lot more loved.
If you’ve ever been around him, you know. Mike shows up. He checks in. He listens. He cracks jokes when things are heavy and brings calm when things feel overwhelming. He’s the guy who quietly helps behind the scenes, never asking for recognition, just wanting to be there for the people he cares about.
Right now, Mike is going through an incredibly difficult moment in his life. A medical emergency has turned everything upside down, and while he’s fighting hard, the financial strain that comes with it is overwhelming. Medical bills, time away from work, and everyday living expenses add up quickly, and no one should have to carry that weight alone.
That’s why we’re coming together as a community to support him.
Mike has spent his life giving to others. Whether it was helping a friend in need, lifting people up with his humor and heart, or simply being someone you could count on, he’s always been there. Now it’s our turn to be there for him.
Every donation, no matter the size, will go directly toward helping Mike focus on what matters most right now: healing and getting through this chapter with less stress and more support around him.
If you’re not able to donate, sharing this page means just as much. Let’s surround Mike with the same love and care he’s given to so many of us over the years.
Thank you for showing up for him.
This fundraiser was set up by me with Mike’s approval. I’m his neighbor in Paradise Cove and friend. It has been set up so that all funds go directly into Mike’s personal account.
What’s going on with Mike?
On January 5th, Mike suffered a Type B aortic dissection, a rare and life-threatening medical emergency.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body, carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. An aortic dissection happens when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to force its way between the layers of the artery wall. This creates a dangerous “false channel” that can block blood flow to vital organs and become life-threatening very quickly.
A Type B dissection means the tear occurred in the descending aorta, the part of the artery that runs down through the chest and abdomen. Mike required immediate, emergency intervention to survive.
Doctors performed a thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) and placed three stents inside his aorta to stabilize the tear and restore proper blood flow.
During this crisis, Mike also suffered severe loss of blood flow to his right leg. He required a fasciotomy to relieve dangerous pressure and prevent permanent damage. At one point, he was at serious risk of losing his leg.
Mike is now dealing with rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition caused by muscle damage in his leg, which is part of the ongoing complication from the reduced blood flow.
On Thursday, January 15th, Mike is scheduled to undergo bypass surgery, and doctors will also close his leg wounds from the fasciotomy as part of his continued recovery.
Through all of this, Mike has not been alone. Michelle French has been by his side at the hospital, staying with him, advocating for him, and helping make sure he’s cared for every step of the way. He has already been through multiple major procedures, and there is still a long road ahead.
Mike has been incredibly strong through all of this, but the physical, emotional, and financial toll is immense.
Why we set the goal at $75,000?
Even if everything goes as smoothly as possible, Mike will be unable to work for at least six months while he recovers.
Mike runs his own golf cart and concert flooring business, which means if he can’t work, there is no income coming in.
His fixed monthly expenses alone are over $6,000, and his basic living costs like food and household needs are over $3,000 per month. That puts his baseline cost of living at roughly $10,000 per month.
Over six months, that comes out to about $60,000 just to keep him housed, fed, insured, and afloat while he heals.
On top of that, his insurance will not cover all of his medical care, so there will be significant out-of-pocket medical expenses as well. We don’t yet know the full total, but based on what we’re seeing so far, we felt $75,000 is a realistic goal to help cover both his living expenses and medical bills during this long recovery.
If anything changes, we’ll keep everyone updated. Our goal is simply to make sure Mike can focus on healing without the added stress of wondering how he’ll survive financially. And if we’re able to exceed this goal, it would give Mike even more breathing room, reduce added stress and worry, and allow him to continue resting and recovering without pressure.
