Northbrook Teen Mourns Loss Of Dad, Seeks Financial Help: GoFundMe

NORTHBROOK, IL — Anand Khatanbaatar's world changed forever earlier this month when his father, the bread-winner of his family, suddenly died after falling down some stairs outside their Northbrook apartment. The 16-year-old and his family — which includes a younger brother, Adam, 7, their mother and grandmother — are now facing financial and emotional hardships as they cope with funeral expenses and an uncertain future.

"My dad was one of the kindest and most hardworking people you could ever know," said Khatanbaatar, who has started a GoFundMe to cover some of the expenses. "He was so loving, which is probably why he had so many friends. The amount of people he would talk to on his phone and I wouldn’t know them is uncountable. It was like my dad knew the whole world."

As of Thursday morning, the GoFundMe campaign has raised over $35,000 of its $300,000 goal. Khatanbaatar is hoping the money raised will help cover some immediate costs as well as support the family's long-term needs, including educational aspirations.

"One thing that meant a lot to my dad was seeing me and my brother go to college," Khatanbaatar said. "It was his big dream. I really want to make that happen for him."

To learn more about the campaign and possibly make a donation, check out the GoFundMe page.