You Can Help Killswitch Engage’s Jesse Leach Recover from Black Mold Infestation in His Home
Earlier this week, Killswitch Engage frontman Jesse Leach revlead via social media that he and his wife were facing a very real crisis in their lives after a black mold infestation was discovered in the walls of their home. It’s forced them and their two cats to relocate to various AirBNBs in their area. It’s been costly and with no remediation in sight from the landowner, it seems a friend of Leach’s is trying to help by starting a GoFundMe that will hopefully alleviate some of their problems.
Created and organized by an individual named Jake Lawrence, the GoFundMe page in question is seeking to raise $25,000 to help the Leaches get back on their feet. The post on the fundraiser’s front page explains it all:
“Dear Killswitch Engage fans, friends, and supporters,
“I’m reaching out today with a heartfelt request to support someone who has given so much to all of us—Jesse Leach, the vocalist of Killswitch Engage. Jesse’s music and lyrics have inspired so many of us around the world, lifting us up in our darkest moments with his energy and uplifting lyrics. Unfortunately, Jesse and his wife are facing an incredibly difficult challenge, and while Jesse would never ask for help himself, I believe it’s time for us to step up for him.
“Recently, Jesse and his wife discovered a massive infestation of black mold behind the walls of their home, caused by a leaking pipe. The mold was so dangerous that they were forced to leave their home immediately, leaving them effectively homeless. This heartbreaking discovery came just after they began building their life together, as they were married in August.
“Jesse is a fighter, and anyone who knows him or follows his journey understands that he’s not the type to ask for assistance. But this situation has placed a tremendous financial and emotional burden on him and his wife. Their home is now uninhabitable, and they’ve been left bouncing between Airbnbs, draining their savings while they figure out what comes next. As you can imagine, this unexpected displacement and the mounting costs of temporary housing, care for their pets, and figuring out what can be salvaged from their home has taken an unimaginable toll on them.
“Jesse has always given us everything he has, pouring his heart into the music we love. Now it’s our turn to give back when he needs it the most.”
For those that don’t know, black mold is no joke. Exposure to the dangerous and hard to remove fungus can cause serious health issues. Prolonged exposure is particularly bad, especially if you deal with asthma or some other respiratory problem. Leach is particularly sensitive to this issue, given the fact that his entire livelihood depends on his breathing.
According to the GoFundMe page, all collected funds will go directly to helping the Leaches with:
- Temporary housing while they search for a new home
- Help with living expenses during this incredibly challenging time
- Replacing items damaged by mold
- Cleaning mold & toxins from items that can be salvaged
If you’ve got the means and you’re a fan of Killswitch Engage or just Leach’s work in general, try to contribute if you can. He and his family need our help.
