Swedish national team running back Jonathan Wikström, who plays for the Uppsala 86ers in Sweden, is in a coma in a Pensacola, Florida hospital after being involved in a boating accident.
According to reports, on March 4 Wikström and his girlfriend were passengers in a boat that crashed into a bridge. The driver of the boat apparently escaped injury.
Wikström and his girlfriend were rushed to hospital in critical condition with Wikström having suffered serious head injuries. According to his twin brother Alexander, he has brain damage, but just how much no one knows as yet. Apparently he is responding to questions but has not yet opened his eyes. And he is able to breathe on his own now.
Although it appears Wikström will survive, it is still not known how much brain damage he has suffered and whether he will fully recover.
It goes beyond that though. He did not have insurance coverage.
So while the family, including mother and father, twin brother Alexander and his six cousins hope and pray for his recovery, the medical bills are piling up.
The cousins have launched a fund-raising campaign and so far have raised $55,000. But that is only about half of what they need to meet the costs of care in the Florida hospital.
To find out more and donate, visit the Fundraiser Facebook page.