Colorado Springs shooting victims facing ‘astronomical’ hospital bills. Here’s how you can help
A mourner brings flowers to the growing memorial for the victims of the shooting in Colorado Springs. (MediaNews Group/The Denver Post via Getty/ Helen H Richardson)
The global queer community has been desperate to help those affected by the Colorado Springs LGBTQ+ club shooting, which killed five and injured many more.
The five people who lost their lives that night were Kelly Loving, Daniel Aston, Derrick Rump, Ashley Paugh, and Raymond Green Vance.
On Saturday (19 November), the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, a shooter named by police as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich opened fire at Club Q, an LGBTQ+ club in Colorado Springs.
Since the horrific attack, the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, both locally and globally, have mobilised to provide support to victims, their loved ones, and all others impacted by the shooting.
One of the first fundraisers to be set up to support victims was by Faith Haug of local Colorado Springs queer-run business Good Judy Garage, who said the community was “heartbroken and cannot believe we are again dealing with violence like this”.
To date, the crowdfunding page has raised more than $650,000. Haug’s initial goal was $25,000.
“We started it because when we went to look for somewhere to donate to, nothing was set up yet, so we started one ourselves,” Haug told PinkNews.
“We are fortunate to have very loyal customers who follow us on social media and they spread it quickly.”
Haug was blown away by the amount raised, and added: “We are amazed by the generosity of the community – they just want to help.”
Explaining where the funds will go, she said: “To the families of those killed and the injured survivors, first. The medical expenses alone for those taken to a hospital will be astronomical. The average insured overnight hospital stay costs about $11,700 (People Keep, 2022), and much more for the uninsured.
“They will be unable to work for quite some time and may have long-term expenses related to their injuries.
“After that, those present but not physically injured will also face time off work, and likely therapy or counselling for the trauma they suffer. Club Q will suffer the loss of income, insurance deductibles, trauma, etc. Yes, this is a lot of money, but…it’s also not going to go as far as you might think.
“We want to ensure we work with an organisation that does not take exorbitant administration fees that can guarantee that the money will go to the victims, and allow us to be involved in that process and maintain transparency for the donors.”
Another fundraiser was set up by Greg Resha, a former Club Q employee who has so far raised more than $60,000 to be donated to Colorado Gives, a non-profit organisation helping catastrophic spinal cord or brain injury patients.
The Colorado Healing Fund is also raising money to support Club Q, the victims, their families, and those affected by the shooting.
According to LGBTQ+ rights group One Colorado, those local to the area are being encouraged to donate blood to assist the injured.
The group also encouraged those who want to help to follow their social media accounts, as well as those of Inside Out Youth Services and GLAAD, to access “up-to-date information on community needs, resources, and upcoming vigils”.
Anyone who has any information regarding the attack on Club Q is encouraged to contact the FBI on 1-800-CALL FBI.
