Featured Image Credit: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
Topics: Adult Industry, GoFundMe, Health, Emily Willis
Ellie Kemp
Topics: Adult Industry, GoFundMe, Health, Emily Willis
Donations towards Emily Willis' GoFundMe page have topped $100,000, as her family previously explained what the money would go towards.
The former adult industry actress is now 'permanently disabled' after suffering a cardiac arrest at a Californian rehab center in February 2024.
Willis — real name Litzy Lara Banuelos — was in a 'vegetative coma' for two months.
Experts speculated she may now have 'locked-in syndrome,' although a diagnosis has not yet been made, her attorney confirmed this week.
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Willis' family have since filed a lawsuit against Summit Malibu — where the actress was admitted for 'ketamine addiction,' — accusing the facility of the 'abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence and fraudulent business practices'.
Last March, her brother, who goes by the name Michael Willis, launched a GoFundMe page with an initial goal of $60,000 in support of his sister's recovery.
Almost a year on, the page is now showing $107,413 has been raised, at the time of writing.
Last year, Michael explained exactly where the money would go, describing the support as 'invaluable.'
"Medical Bills: Even with insurance, the gap in coverage leaves us facing significant out-of-pocket expenses for treatments and medications essential to Emily's recovery," he began.
"Travel and Accommodation: To ensure Emily is never alone, we're committed to being by her side, which means securing a temporary home far away from our personal home to be with her in the hospital."
He added: "Supporting Emily during this difficult time means being away from work, adding to the financial pressures we face.
"Every donation, no matter its size, will go directly towards easing these burdens, allowing us to devote our energy and resources to Emily's healing."
And in May, when the initial goal was exceeded, Michael gave another update.
"My family wouldn't have been able to provide the level of care needed without your donations," he wrote. "All donations are and have been going directly towards Emily's recovery."
He went on to 'sincerely thank' everyone for their support, adding: "From the bottom of our hearts we are extremely grateful to see the love from so many people who want to see Emily get better.
"Your donations give us the opportunity to make the best decisions for her care."
Willis — who retired from the adult industry in 2022 after a four-year stint — is now being cared for by her mom at home, but still needs frequent hospital visits.
And earlier this week, Willis' attorney, James A. Morris from Morris Law Firm, issued a major update on her health, sharing that the 26-year-old can now 'move her body somewhat' and make 'outward noises.'
Morris added: "Her physical condition is not good, her mental condition is unknown, but she's still here. I think that in and of itself says something about her resilience and her desire to live."
He resolved: "And with modern medicine and the advances that we have in science, we can all hope that Litzy gets back to the functioning level that makes her life worthwhile."
UNILAD has previously contacted Sumit Malibu for comment.