November 4, 2023: Help Jennell Jaquays Recover From Guillain-Barré Syndrome

I've been playing RPGs since I was in high school, but I'm a bit ashamed to say that I'd never heard of Jennell Jaquays until recently. Her work spans decades, genres, and game systems, and her Wikipedia page reads like a greatest hits list of 80s and 90s classics: Dungeons & Dragons, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Age of Empires, and Quake. In other words – if you're a gamer, there's a good chance you've experienced or been influenced by her work.

 

Sadly, Jennell has recently suffered a major health setback. After suddenly falling ill on October 15, she was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome. This serious autoimmune disorder causes rapid-onset muscle weakness that can affect breathing muscles and leave patients dependent on ventilators. According to Rebecca Heineman, Jennell's partner, she could spend up to four weeks in the hospital and face six to twelve months of rehabilitation. 

 

A GoFundMe has been set up for Jennell to help with medical and rehabilitation costs. While the fundraiser has reached its initial goal, there is a good chance that Jennell will need more help as time goes on. If you want to help her on her road to recovery, head to the GoFundMe page and donate what you can.

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