The late Real Housewives executive Lauren Miller’s family has reached its $150,000 fundraising goal following her tragic death during childbirth.
The family surpassed their second goal on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 15. As of publication, the family has raised $150,075 to support Miller’s family as they navigate their grief following her passing. More than 380 people donated money, ranging from $10 donations to as much as $10,000.
Shed Media – the production company behind The Real Housewives of New York City and The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City – announced on Thursday, June 12, that Miller “died unexpectedly just moments after giving birth” to a baby boy. Her newborn son Jackson was taken to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after his birth before being discharged. (Lauren shared 3-year-old daughter Emma with husband Kevin Miller as well.)
A GoFundMe page set up by Miller’s friend and Shed coworker Sherri Pender received more than 800 donations within 72 hours of its launch. Pender explained that she’d started the fundraising campaign to help “take care of the thing Lauren cherish[ed] beyond all else: her family.”
“We are heartbroken by the tragic passing of our dear friend and coworker, Lauren. She died on June 9th, suddenly, just moments after giving birth to her son,” a GoFundMe description reads. “This unimaginable loss is impossible to comprehend, and the hole that Lauren has left in this world and in her own family is an impossible one to ever fill. We are devastated for her beloved husband, Kevin, who must now unexpectedly take on the sole role of parenting their two children.”
The fundraiser’s organizers subsequently posted an encouraging update from Kevin after he was able to bring baby Jackson home on Friday, June 13.
“Kevin is delighted to share that baby Jackson is out of the NICU and at home with his dad and sister,” a message on the GoFundMe page read. “[Kevin says that] he has been an angel and has eaten and slept like a champ. He is so alert and attentive already at just 4 days old.”
Pender assured those who have donated to the fundraiser that Kevin was “so deeply touched by everyone’s generosity and kindness.”
“It’s been a little over 48 hours since we launched this fundraiser. As Lauren’s coworkers, we are all truly blown away by the depth and breadth of the response,” Pender wrote on Thursday. “As we cope with our own grief, it has been so incredibly touching to see how this fundraiser has spread. We blew past our first target and are quickly approaching the second. A heartfelt thanks to everyone for donating and for spreading the word to your wider networks.”
She concluded: “Today, we were contacted by a charity that offers baby formula and diapers to families after a maternal loss. They can also connect Kevin with support groups. He has a long road ahead and we want to make sure we are there for him throughout.”
Kevin broke his silence about his wife’s passing on Friday by replying to Shed Media’s original statement.
“Lauren is the love of my life, and I was blessed by God that she chose to spend her life with me and give me two beautiful children to remember her every minute of every day,” Kevin wrote via Instagram. “Please pray for our family and thank you all for the prayers, kind words and thoughts. God bless.”
RHOSLC cast member Heather Gay and RHONY’s Sai de Silva were among the notable figures in the Bravoverse to pay tribute to Miller.
“Prayers for her family and friends,” The Real Housewives of Orange County’s Tamra Judge wrote via Instagram. “This is absolutely heartbreaking.”
A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
