GoFundMe launched for Kemoy Campbell
KINGSTON, Jamaica — A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist with the medical expenses of Jamaican Olympian and National Record Holder Kemoy Campbell.
Campbell has been in hospital since he collapsed at the Millrose Games in New York on Saturday.
His team is seeking to raise US$200,000 to help with his “mounting medical costs”. At the time of this publication, a total of US$8,185 had been donated.
The Jamaican distance runner was serving as a pace-setter to move the men’s 3,000m field along quickly when he fell into the infield just after the second turn just beyond the 1,000m mark.
Campbell, 28, was carried out of the facility on a stretcher as other events were halted while he received medical attention.
His agent told the Jamaica Observer that he was sedated at the hospital and a CAT scan had been done.
According to the GoFundMe page, the athlete is currently awake and talking and is in critical but stable condition in the ICU at New York Presbyterian/ Columbia University Hospital.
“Kemoy will continue to be monitored and recover at the hospital for the foreseeable time. In order for Kemoy to continue receiving the best care and to offset mounting medical costs, we are asking for donations to help support him and his family during this challenging time. Any donation made to help Kemoy on his road to recovery is greatly appreciated,” the page continued.
Campbell and his family are said to be very grateful for the overwhelming support and outreach.
“The Campbell family would also like to express their gratitude for the team of doctors at New York Presbyterian/ Columbia University Hospital and the quick response of The Armory’s on-site medical professionals and doctors who assisted Kemoy and for the outpouring of support from the track and field community,” said the organiser of the campaign.
Campbell, formerly of Bellefield High school in Manchester, dominated the middle and distance races at Boys Championships. He also had success at the regional Carifta Games, winning from 800m through to 5,000m.
He left Jamaica and attended South Plains College in Texas in 2011, where he won national Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) titles in the 800 metres and in cross country. Two years later, he moved onto the University of Arkansas and placed fifth in the men’s 5000 metres final and finished second in the men’s 3000 metres at the 2013 NCAA Division 1 Indoor Track and Field Championships.
He was injured in 2014, but rebounded in 2015 when he lowered Jamaica’s 5000m record to 13:20.39 minutes, and historically secured the qualifying mark to the IAAF World Championship in Beijing, China.