Olympic Great Mary Lou Retton Is “Fighting For Her Life”
On Tuesday morning, McKenna Kelley, the daughter of Olympic Medalist Mary Lou Retton, shared the heartbreaking news that her mother has been “fighting for her life” in the ICU for over a week with a “very rare form of pneumonia.” McKenna created and shared a crowdfunding page adding that her mother is not able to breathe on her own.
The family did not share extensive details of Retton’s condition but made a plea for help since the beloved gymnast is not insured:
“We ask that if you could help in any way, that 1) you PRAY! and 2) if you could help us with finances for the hospital bill… ANYTHING, absolutely anything, would be so helpful for my family and my mom.”
Retton’s DWTS Pro Partner Sasha Farber Shares An Update
After the news broke, Sasha Farber, who competed with Retton on season 27 of Dancing With The Stars, told Entertainment Tonight that he had been in contact with her earlier that day.
“I’ve been talking to her today and she’s fighting,” said Farber, “She kind of wants to give up, but I’m sending her videos of her dancing and I’m telling her, ‘There’s only one Mary Lou Retton. You’ve got this!'”
The professional dancer also shared that Retton was in Los Angeles a few weeks prior and had asked to get together, but that his rehearsal schedule had prevented him from doing so. Farber remains positive, expressing:
“She’s a fighter. She’s going to be great. I know her very well. And she’s like family to me and she’s a fighter… she’s strong. She’s strong.”
The Outpouring Of Support From Donors Has Surpassed Original Goal
The original fundraising goal was set at $50,000, but as of Thursday evening (October 12) that goal had been greatly surpassed with over $380,000 raised from 6,800+ donors. This generous outpouring of support shows just how beloved Retton is to her fans.
To donate to Mary Lou Retton’s fight, click HERE.
Enjoy one of Mary Lou Retton and Sasha Farber’s DWTS performances below.