Tuesday is "Go Purple Day:" Wear purple to support 12-year-old Waukesha stabbing victim

WAUKESHA (WITI) – The parents of a Waukesha girl who was stabbed 19 times and miraculously survived asked that Tuesday, June 10th be designed as “Go Purple Day." Supporters were encouraged to wear purple on Tuesday -- the survivor’s favorite color, in support of her.

"Her injuries and her wounds are healing more quickly than they anticipated -- which is fantastic news. But at the same time, there's still a long road of recovery that's in front of them," the victim's family's spokesperson, Dana Hoffmann said.

The family has issued a statement about the stabbing incident and has provided an update the victim's medical condition:

“On May 31, 2014, our 12-year-old daughter went into the woods in Waukesha, Wis. to play hide-and-seek with two of her friends. Merely a ruse, the two friends stabbed her 19 times and left her for dead. Remarkably, she found the strength to live and crawled to a nearby street where she was found by a passerby. She sustained stab wounds to her arms, legs and torso and underwent extensive surgery to repair wounds to multiple internal organs. Her tubes and drains have since been removed, and she is currently recovering at home in the care of her family and friends.

Her physical wounds, thankfully, are healing more quickly than anticipated and her pain is decreasing daily. For that, we are so grateful. She sleeps well at night but gets tired and overwhelmed very easily during the day. We are trying to get back into a regular routine and enjoy the activities we did before the incident. Since coming home, our daughter has enjoyed spending time outside and getting fresh air as well as running a few quick errands with her mom. She spent time watching many episodes of 'Full House' alongside her 'guard pets', which consist of a family dog and two cats. Like any older sister, she has also managed to continue teasing her younger brother."

We are overwhelmed by the outpouring of love from the surrounding community, across the country, and even overseas. We are especially grateful for those supporters who have made and sent purple hearts, as well as those who have donated to the Hearts for Healing fund. Our daughter has already received dozens of purple hearts, along with other care packages, letters and well wishes, and for this, we can't thank the community enough.

Our focus moving forward is to relax, bond and establish a 'new normal' together as a family. We know that we have a long road ahead but will recover from this in time. Again, we truly thank everyone for their support."

Supporters were encouraged to share photos of themselves wearing purple or making purple hearts Tuesday on Facebook -- at www.facebook.com/HeartsForHealingWI or by following the #heartsforhealing campaign on Twitter.

At Horning Middle School -- where all three of the 12-year-old girls in this case attend school, the principal and others who heard about the effort to wear purple to support the stabbing victim were happy to participate.

This, as the victim's family's spokesperson spoke with CNN about the incident, and the victim's recovery.

"They've had some conversations with her about what happened -- and they really focus some of those conversations around how she found that will to crawl out of the woods and this little girl -- she's certainly strong," Hoffmann said.

A GoFundMe.com account established for the stabbing victim has raised over $43,000 -- as of Tuesday afternoon, June 10th.

"She told them -- 'I crawled out of the woods because I wanted to live,' and when I heard those words I got instant goosebumps. I got tears in my eyes. I was taken aback by the strength that this little girl has," Hoffman said.

Supporters interested helping the family meet mounting medical and legal expenses are encouraged to make a donation online at www.gofundme.com/HeartsForHealingWI or by visiting a BMO Harris Bank branch.



The survivor’s family also encourages people to send homemade hearts infused with prayers, love and light to blanket the walls of the girl’s room to remind her that the power of love is greater than all else.

Hearts can be sent to: Hearts for Healing, P.O. Box 407, Waukesha, WI, 53187-0407.

Members of the CreepyPasta community are organizing a fundraiser to aid the victim of the stabbing. Narrators of the stories from the CreepyPasta community are holding a 24-hour fundraiser live stream event on Friday, June 13th. From noon on Friday to noon on Saturday, June 14th on the MrCreepyPasta YouTube channel, the narrators are urging listeners to donate as much as can as they can — even if it’s just a dollar.

In a email sent to FOX6 News, the narrators said, “Will you please aid us in our goal to help this little girl and her family during this trying time, and prove that it doesn’t matter which community you are a part of, but that we can all work together to truly make a difference and help those in great need.”

The two 12-year-old girls charged in this case are due back in court on Wednesday, June 11th.

Morgan Geyser and Anissa Weier each face a felony charge of first degree intentional homicide in this case.