On Mother's Day 2026, our world changed in an instant. My son, Ryan Burd—35 years old, devoted husband, and father of three beautiful girls—was involved in a serious accident when the truck he was in lost control and hit a tree before flipped onto its side. He was ejected from the vehicle’s passenger window and was found next to the truck, when he arrived at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg, doctors delivered devastating news: along with damaged kidney from the impact Ryan had suffered a severe break in his neck. The next 48 hours were terrifying. Surgery had to wait two days while doctors ran extensive tests to determine the safest approach—because the break was so severe that any wrong movement risked paralysis or cutting off his ability to breathe. Ryan himself has no memory of the accident at all. The surgery went well, and we are beyond grateful he is alive. But Ryan is not out of the woods yet. Without proper rest and rehabilitation, he still risks further serious injury. Recovery is expected to take 6 to 12 months—and the road ahead is long.

If you know my son Ryan, you already know the answer. He is the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his own back—and has. He is an amazing, loving husband and the kind of dad his girls adore. Eight years ago, Ryan built Burd's Tree Service from the ground up—through sheer hard work, determination, and heart. He built that business so his wife Marissa could stay home and raise their daughters. Everything he has ever done has been for his family. Now his family needs us.

Ryan and Marissa have three daughters: Ally (15), Julie (9), and little Maci, who just turned 1. Those girls need their daddy home and healthy. Marissa has held this family together with a grace and strength that has left everyone around her in awe. She has been by Ryan's side every step of the way, while also being everything their three daughters need her to be. She has not wavered. She has not crumbled. She has simply loved her family through the unimaginable—and she continues to do so every single day. Marissa, you are seen. You are appreciated. And you do not have to carry this alone anymore.

Ryan is self-employed. When he can't work, there is no paycheck. Burd's Tree Service cannot run itself, and Ryan will be unable to work for the next 6 to 12 months. To make matters harder, Ryan does not currently have health insurance—meaning the medical bills from this hospitalization, surgery, and the rehabilitation ahead will fall entirely on this young family. Every dollar raised goes directly toward medical bills and surgical costs, mortgage and household bills, supporting three daughters while daddy heals, and keeping the family afloat until Ryan can get back on his feet.

A message from Marissa & Ryan: "We want to thank everybody for all of the prayers and financial support during this time. Any little bit helps, and we are so grateful he is alive and will eventually make a full recovery." Please share this page—even if you can't give, every share puts this in front of someone who can. Ryan has spent his whole life showing up for others. Now it's our turn to show up for him. With love and gratitude, The Burd Family

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