Earlier this week, Rooster Teeth launched a crowdfunding campaign on GoFundMe to raise $50,000 for animator, Monty Oum after announcing he was being hospitalized for a medical emergency. The project raised well over $100,000 within its first day.
While explaining the situation, Rooster Teeth’s Burnie Burns stated on the company’s blog, “It is with great regret that I must inform you that our co-worker and our dear friend, Monty Oum, has had a medical emergency. He is currently hospitalized in critical care and it is not known if he will recover. He is receiving the best medical care possible and is surrounded by both family and friends who love him very much. While we wanted you to know as soon as possible, we also have the utmost respect for Monty’s privacy and we hope you will understand and share in that respect.
“Monty is a tremendous talent who has accomplished so much in his young life. He has an amazing creative ability and the drive to put it to use. That is a rare combination and we are proud to have shared in it. We expect that this news will be shocking to most of you and very difficult to process. It has been for many of us as well. Our hearts are with Monty, his wife Sheena and his brothers & sisters. They will need your good thoughts, your prayers, whatever kindness you have to offer. A fund has been been established to assist Monty’s family with his medical expenses.”
Unfortunately, the studio announced Oum passed away on Monday evening (February 3rd). Matt Hullum shared, “Our friend, inspiration and co-worker Monty Oum passed away yesterday afternoon at 4:34 PM surrounded by people who loved him very much. Ten days ago Monty suffered a severe allergic reaction during a simple medical procedure that left him in a coma. Although he fought bravely, his body was not able to recover. During his time in the hospital he was well cared for and never in pain at any time.
“Monty is survived by his wife Sheena, his father Mony, his brothers Woody, Sey, Chivy and Neat, and his sisters Thea and Theary, as well as a countless number of fans and friends. We were so proud to be a part of his life and we will miss him greatly.
“Your generosity during the hours after the public statement on Friday will help his family deal with the costs of his care and his passing. You made an incredible difference during a difficult time and we cannot thank you enough.
“As for honoring Monty, we will do that in our own way. In lieu of flowers or gifts, we ask that you simply do something creative. Use your imagination to make the world a better place in any way that you can. If you know Monty like we do, then you know he would certainly be doing that if he were able to.”
Fans of Monty still seek to help his family during this time and by day three of the campaign, they had raised well over $221,000. Our thoughts go out to the Oum’s family and friends.
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