"Fight, Timmy, Fight!"~ Send Your Get-Well Wishes to Rutgers Student and Former Holmdel Athlete in Critical Condition

Holmdel resident and current Rutgers student Timmy McDonnell is still in critical condition at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital, and Patch would like readers to send the family support.

Many Patch readers across Monmouth County have read the previous stories here on Patch about the tragic incident, which occurred in the early morning hours of October 4 in New Brunswick, after the 20-year-old was crossing Easton Avenue and was struck by a vehicle. He remains in a coma, and the McDonnell family have continued to update the town of Holmdel, and all of their supporters, on his condition as the days have passed.

A post on the Prayers for Timmy McDonnell Facebook Page by the family informs supporters that the popular and beloved former Holmdel High School athlete has undergone an MRI to determine if he had suffered brain stem damage or a stroke from the impact of the accident, which came back negative.

The family has been supported by the entire Holmdel community, such as the sign outside of the high school that read, “Praying for Timmy” last week, and has now been changed to “Fight, Timmy FIGHT!”. The Holmdel High School football team has also rallied behind his younger brother, Matt, who is a current Senior player, by wearing Timmy’s initials on their helmets during a recent match they played, winning in the fighting spirit of Timmy.

William Loughran, Principal of Holmdel High School, told Patch in an email, “Many of us are very close with the McDonnell family - we are pulling so very hard for Timmy and making ourselves available in any way we can to assist Mr. and Mrs. McDonnell and Timmy’s younger brother Matt during this excruciatingly difficult time.”

The prayers and support from the Holmdel community has not gone unnoticed by the McDonnells. The family writes in the October 15 Facebook post:

”The McDonnell family firmly believes he has made this progress due to the unbelievable support of everyone involved. Although he has a long way to go, we remain hopeful. Keep us in your prayers.”

Patch readers can head over to the Facebook page and send their prayers and well-wishes to this young student, and to his family, who are well-known locally for their charitable work for so many others. Timmy’s father, Tim McDonnell, founded a charity called My Three Sons, after a close family friend lost his life to cancer, leaving behind three young children. Now they need the community to continue to stand behind them, during this difficult time. The Facebook page can be found by clicking here: www.facebook.com/PrayersForTimmyMcDonnell?ref=br_tf

Keep fighting, Timmy! We here at Patch are cheering you on, and wishing for a recovery soon!

Caitlin Brown, Monmouth County Editor for Patch