Since the attack on June 7th, Elisabeth has endured eighteen surgeries and been hospitalized for over six consecutive weeks. Strengthened by her faith in God and the love of her family and friends, she has made tremendous strides toward recovery that can only be described as miraculous. Elisabeth and Ryan wish to express their deepest and most sincere gratitude for the immeasurable outpouring of love and support they have received from across the entire world. Your extreme generosity, fervent prayer, and tireless encouragement are truly a testament to God’s love and healing power through the Church of Jesus Christ.

Elisabeth is preparing with her medical team to enter a rehabilitation facility. This is a critical milestone in her work toward recovery. Her rehabilitation program will include learning the use of a prosthetic arm. She must also learn to walk again, as her left foot suffers from severe nerve damage. Elisabeth and her family will need your prayers and support now more than ever!

Even though the mountain is high Elisabeth has been climbing steadily and faithfully, always spurred on by the Holy Spirit and your continued prayer efforts. She is a true warrior, always focused on how she can use this experience in the service of God’s Kingdom. As her recovery progresses, and new challenges have been revealed, now is the time to strengthen our efforts to help support the Foley family. Anyone who feels led to aid in Elisabeth’s recovery is encouraged to donate to the GiveSendGo fundraiser.  

The entire Foley family is indescribably grateful to each and every person who has given even a single prayer or donation. May God bless you for all that you have done to support this amazing family in their time of need.

On Friday, June 7th, 2024, while on vacation in Walton County, Florida, Elisabeth Foley was swimming in the ocean with her family. Around 1:30pm CST, a shark attacked Elisabeth, severely wounding both of her upper legs, her buttocks, and severing her left hand. Her husband, Ryan, dragged her from the water where courageous beachgoers aided her. Several of these Good Samaritans, who were trained medical professionals, selflessly rushed to Elisabeth to provide trauma care until the emergency medical teams arrived. Other heroic people also cared for the Foley’s three children, doing their best to comfort and pray with them through this traumatic experience.

The local sheriff’s office, emergency services, fire department, and helicopter crews displayed an unparalleled level of professionalism, courage, and teamwork in their care for Elisabeth. They quickly transported Elisabeth to a local trauma hospital via helicopter where the emergency and ICU teams, surgeons, doctors, nurses, and support staff provided Elisabeth the highest quality care. The Foley’s have emphatically expressed that Elisabeth’s survival is strongly attributed to the amazing care that each of these many people provided, from the water to the recovery room. Elisabeth and Ryan wish to express their deepest gratitude to each and every one of these heroes.

Elisabeth has begun the long road to recovery. She is becoming more stable each day, thanks to the expert care of her medical team. Elisabeth has been medically transported back to her home state of Virginia and transferred to a local hospital. She is lovingly supported by her family and friends daily.

Elisabeth and Ryan are evangelical Christians, believing firmly that Jesus, the Son of God, is their Lord and risen Savior. They believe that we live in a fallen world, cursed by sin, and that faith in Jesus is the only salvation for that sin. This event was a tragedy, but it should stand as an example to people across the world to have faith in God’s miraculous power. As Elisabeth lay on the beach, holding her husband’s hand, she prayed to God for His strength. She prayed that God would deliver her from this attack and save her life. The Foley’s believe God truly answered those prayers. God gave Elisabeth the strength to fight for survival. In the face of such tragedy, God has given Ryan mental and emotional peace that truly passes earthly understanding. The Foley’s count it as God’s miraculous blessing that Ryan and the children were physically unharmed, none of Elisabeth’s major arteries or vital organs were damaged, and heroes stepped up at every turn to help save her life.

Ryan and Elisabeth are overwhelmed with gratitude for the tremendous outpouring of support from across the world, and thank you for your prayers, encouragement, and financial help. During this time, the family has asked that their privacy be respected so that they can continue to focus on providing care for Elisabeth and helping her recover. To that end, please direct all future communications and inquiries to their church, Winn’s Baptist in Glen Allen, Virginia.

You can continue to support Ryan and Elisabeth in three primary ways:

• If you have not accepted salvation through faith in Jesus, Elisabeth and Ryan encourage you to do so and to become involved at Winn’s Baptist or your local Bible-believing church.

• Please continue to pray for their family and for Elisabeth’s full recovery.

• If you wish to contribute financially to help them with medical and logistical expenses, you may donate at https://www.givesendgo.com/elisabethfoley

To Contact Winns Baptist Church: jparker@winnsbc.org