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The athlete announced that he'll be giving personalized videos to fans via Cameo, with all proceeds going to relief from the global issue.
Wherefore art thou, Gus Kenworthy?
The beloved Olympic skier has admittedly been MIA for several weeks amid the world's health crisis, but now the 30-year-old athlete is letting fans know that he's been looking after his family during this time, which has inspired him to readjust his priorities.
In a new Instagram post, Kenworthy opened up about his young niece and nephew, both of whom fell extremely ill and had to be treated at the Denver Children's Hospital.
Thankfully, they're both home and recovering now.
"My 9-month-old nephew, Bodhi, had a bad cough/ fever and started having trouble breathing," he explained. "He ended up being flight for life'd to Denver Children's Hospital to be put on a respirator and spent a week in the ICU. Shortly after he returned home my 4-year-old niece, Bobbie, fell ill and had to be rushed to the same hospital to undergo two emergency surgeries. They're both finally home again and recovering! I'm incredibly thankful and forever grateful to our healthcare workers on the front line of this pandemic."
He also had a message to people who are struggling with depression, explaining that he himself has also been suffering.
"I know [it] has been a struggle for most everyone," he shared. "One thing I've learned is that just because we're in isolation it does NOT mean that we're alone. We really are in this together! If you're struggling w/ depression and you've been feeling down and worthless know that I have been too. In school, in sports and in life I've always hated asking for help because I've wanted to seem strong, brave, tough, self-assured, etc but I've realized that sometimes you just need help and when you do you need to ask for it. It's literally what friends are for. Swallow your pride and text a friend saying 'I'm feeling really down, can you talk?' It will help."
The sports star concluded his message by announcing that he will be joining Cameo, an app where people can buy personalized messages from their favorite celebrities, with 100 percent of his proceeds going to First Responders First, a fund by Thrive Global that is currently raising money for health care workers.
Furthermore, Kenworthy says he will match whatever money is raised up to $10,000.
"Thank you all for staying home to help flatten the curve," he concluded. "Let's #BeatTheVirus."
To book a personalized video from Kenworthy, $150 each, visit cameo.com/guskenworthy.
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