A local GoFundMe fundraiser has rapidly gained momentum and financial support for a Diamond Bar High School student and his family just a few days after it was started. 

On Jan. 19, DBHS senior Irwin Chen and his brother, Ivan Chen (DBHS class of 2014 and Cal Poly Pomona graduate), were involved in a traffic accident that left them with serious head injuries. According to the GoFundMe page, they are being treated at Pomona Valley Medical Center’s intensive care unit. 

Since the fundraiser’s creation on Feb. 1, there has been an outpouring of donations and well-wishes as word spread from the Chen family’s relatives and their friends to acquaintances and eventually to people who do not know the family. As of Feb. 7, thousands of people have chipped in to raise $154,371, surpassing the halfway mark of the fundraiser’s $250,000 goal. All monetary donations will help pay for the brothers’ medical expenses. The fundraiser has 1,300 donors, 3,500 shares and 1,300 followers. 

Irwin’s close friends shared the news of the GoFundMe page on Instagram and Facebook to encourage others to help out in any way they can, whether they make a donation or spread the word by sharing the website link to the GoFundMe page. 

In addition to the online crowdfunding platform, a fundraiser was held at the Diamond Bar restaurant Fusion 2 Any 1 Sushi & Roll for the Chen family Feb. 5-6, during which 20 percent of all transactions from those showing the fundraiser flyer went to the family. 

At DBHS, Irwin is a member of the boys soccer varsity team. During senior night on Feb. 4, after his name was called out, his friend, senior Morgan Joe, held his soccer jersey while one of the soccer players had flowers. The boys team walked out on the field for Irwin’s senior night picture. 

The GoFundMe fundraiser can be found at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/medical-care-and-support-for-ivan-and-irwin-chen?

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