Fans have stepped in to be "Gilligan's Island" star Dawn Wells' Thurston and Lovey Howell.

The 79-year-old actress who played Mary Ann on the '60s sitcom is the beneficiary of a GoFundMe created by her friend, hair stylist Dugg Kirkpatrick. As of early Thursday afternoon, the crowdfunding effort has raised more than $52,000 making a dent in its goal of $180,000.

"After 2008, like many of us, Dawn suffered through the banking crash and lost everything including her life savings in addition, to a life-threatening surgery which came close to killing her," Kirkpatrick explained on the initiative's page. "Dawn was a victim of an unexpected accident that required hospitalization for two months and a very long time to rest and heal."

Kirkpatrick, who refers to Wells as his "dearest friend," says the funds will help pay Wells' hospital bills and IRS penalties.

Wells reflected on her fans' generosity in a post shared to her official Facebook page Wednesday.

"I am amazed at the kindness and affection I have received from the current outpouring in regards to the Go Fund Me Page that is grabbing so much attention and want to address it," she explained. "A dear dear friend of mine with a big heart was trying to help me with some common issues we all understand and some must face. He (created) that page with the love (and) emotion like someone protecting their child."

Wells went on to say she didn't know how she wound up in her current predicament.

"I thought I was taking all the proper steps to ensure my golden years," she wrote. "Now, here I am, no family, no husband, no kids and no money."

Yet, the actress is still able to maintain an upbeat attitude.

"(I'm) grateful that God has given me so many friends and fans who care, or it would all be too ... overwhelming," she wrote. "I am grateful to any of my fans who are willing to offer support."

She concluded by saying "my outlook is positive and I look forward to seeing you all in my travels."

Wells' rep Harlan Boll said there is a possibility she may not keep the donations.

"At this time, it has not yet been decided whether she will return the funds so generously donated by her fans and friends or if it will go into a trust/fund (for transparency purposes) that would help alleviate the previously mentioned issues," Boll told USA TODAY in an email.

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