a Former gymnast Mary Lou Retton has been admitted to the intensive care unit, between life and death, after contracting a rare pneumonia. The world is coming together behind a fundraising campaign to try to help the American athlete’s family.

Her daughter, McKenna Kelly, revealed the health condition of the 55-year-old Olympic medalist.

Mary Lou Retton is one of the greatest USA gymnastics legends, having won one gold, two silver and two bronze at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Mary was the first gymnast to win a gold medal, in an individual test, for the USA.

Mary Lou Retton in 2009© Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

“Please help my mother continue the fight,” McKenna Kelly asked on a fundraising page, where she mentioned, without wanting to go into detail, that her mother does not have health insurance and help is needed to pay her hospital bills. The woman asks everyone for help, and says this can be done in two ways: praying for Mary or through financial support.

ABC wrote that the call for help had an almost immediate impact. In a short time, the page in question received hundreds of visits and many messages of support. The family’s minimum request of $50,000 has been greatly exceeded, with the campaign already raising more than $300,000.

“You have inspired a nation, it is an honor to help you when you need it,” is one of the comments left by supporters of the former athlete.

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