To some he is a son, a brother, a best friend, an acquaintance, a co-worker, a classmate, a teammate, or you just may not know him at all. His name is Andrel Gaines. However, not knowing him hasn't seemed to matter lately. The love, support, and prayers that have been pouring in through Twitter and Facebook are colossal in amount. The prayer chain created on Facebook by Jenesse Henke, a fellow friend of Andrel, has over 6,800 people attending since its creation on Sunday.
The support shown for one another, as they all go through trying times, has also been amazing. Andrel is bringing people closer together and closer in their relationships with God, as well. People across the country that have never met Andrel are praying for him to wake up. His friends have even had celebrities, such as Tyga, the coach of the Golden State Warriors, Stephen Curry Brandon Jennings, Patti Stanger, Wyclef, Warren G, and so on, tweet “#prayforandrel”.
Andrel and two of his teammates from the basketball team at Gavilan College, in Gilroy, were driving home on Sunday morning from a club in San Francisco, along with two female passengers. The driver, Billy Heard, reportedly swerved to avoid a tire in the middle of the freeway, and instead, hit the median until his car spun out, facing the wrong direction on 101. They were hit straight on. Billy and Andrel were rushed to San Francisco General Hospital, while Davontea Johnson, another passenger, was taken to Stanford Hospital.
Today, Andrel suffers from multiple skull fractures as a result of the accident and remains in the ICU in a coma and under life support. Billy has just taken his first steps these past couple days and suffers from a broken jaw. Davontea, who suffered a fractured lower leg, is now at home and recovering. The Gavilan Rams basketball team was scheduled to play this Thursday, but have since decided to pull out from that tournament. Their next game is on Wednesday at Gavilan College. Fellow teammate, Jamil Taylor, says: “We all miss him and we won't be playing angry, but rather using it as motivation. We all miss him and it’s hard, but we won't quit, as they never would. Not only are we playing for them, but with them spiritually.” The team has been at the hospital supporting the boys whenever they are able to. Even though they are sad Andrel, Billy, and Davontea are not playing with them on Wednesday, they are excited to play in their absence and dedicate the game to them.
Today was the first day the hospital allowed only family to visit Andrel. Since the accident, more than thirty teammates, friends, and family members have been at Andrel’s side waiting for him to wake up. Although all the support is appreciated, this must be a welcome break for the family. The Gaines family has expressed their deepest gratitude for all the prayers and support they have been receiving for Andrel’s recovery.
I personally knew Andrel, and can’t say enough great things about him. He always had a big smile on his face no matter what, in fact, I don't think I ever saw him not smiling. He was a complete gentleman in every sense of the word. Everyone that knew him loved him and I think that is especially apparent now that disaster has struck. All that I ask of you is to please take a few moments out of your day to pray for someone that would do the same for you. Please help us spread the word, join his fight, and help us #prayforandrel.
"I love you Andrel, and I can’t wait until you awaken and we all get to see that bright smile and those wonderful, pretty green eyes."
Friends have also created a site to make donations to the Gaines family to help pay for medical expenses: https://www.wepay.com/donate/36472
Friends waiting in the ICU
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