Former Bachelorette contestant Andrew Milcovich is looking to help his brother John and his family through an impossible time as they mourn the loss of their 4-year-old son, Michael.
Milcovich, 35, said that his nephew died in “a tragic accident” on May 24 and he started a GoFundMe on John and his wife Sarah’s behalf to raise money to cover expenses.
“Everything about Michael was pure,” Milcovich wrote on the fundraising page. “His cackling laughter and stomping happy feet– pure joy. His love of water, bubbles, and whales– pure wonder. If you knew my nephew, you know Michael was pretty much never without a whale in his hand. His one-of-a-kind smirk that melted everyone was pure light. Even Michael’s love for pizza was pure delight.”
He continued, “In July of 2020, my brother John and his wife Sarah gave me the best gift I could ever ask for: a beautiful nephew, Michael James Milcovich. For the past almost 5 years, they gave me and my family the gift of watching my nephew grow into a joyful, bright, and tender-hearted little boy.”
Milcovich, who went by Uncle Drew, or “Unka Doo,” to Michael, admitted via the GoFundMe that he was at a loss for what to do.
“There is no playbook for losing a 4 year old son,” he wrote. “I find myself lost for words as I am typing this out. I don’t know what to do honestly, but I just know I need to at least DO something. Something for my brother John, Sarah, and Ella. Something to honor my sweet nephew, Michael.”
“So it is with a broken heart and tears in my eyes that I’m starting this GoFundMe on their behalf with their blessing,” he added. “The last thing they should have to worry about right now is financial stress– memorial costs, time off work, and walking a path together that few ever have to walk.”
Milcovich was eliminated fourth on Katie Thurston’s season 17 of The Bachelorette. The deputy district attorney from California also shared the GoFundMe via his Instagram page alongside a carousel of photos of Michael. It prompted an outpouring of support from fans and figures from Bachelor Nation, including Thurston herself.
“My heart breaks this morning,” she wrote in the comments. “Sending you and your family healing strength.”
Michael Allio, who was also on Thurston’s season, wrote, “Our hearts go out to you and your family Andrew. To call this a loss is an understatement. It’s a tragedy. A beautiful boy taken way too soon. It just doesn’t make sense. We’re here for you and will always be.”
The GoFundMe page has raised more than $50,000 as of this writing.
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