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Help Rich and his family

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Rich Pizzutillo a resident of Long Valley, NJ, Co-Owner of Pure Ink Tattoo in Ledgewood, NJ needs your help!

On 11/10/14 Rich was experiencing some numbness in his hands and feet, initially Rich attributed this to a pinched nerve or something related to his collarbone which was broken in 4 places just a few weeks prior.

 As the day went on the numbness got worse, He visited his orthopedic surgeon, who took an x-ray and saw nothing wrong. Rich returned home and sometime in the early morning hours of 11/11/14 he lost the ability to stand or walk. 

 On 11/11/14 Rich was taken via ambulance to Morristown Medical Center, he was evaluated for close to 8 hours in the emergency room before being diagnosed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (read more ). He was promptly admitted to the ICU Unit.

Once in the ICU unit they did a spinal tap and were able to confirm he does in fact have this rare disease. No matter what pain medicine they gave rich none gave him more then some temporary relief. The disease progressed quickly and before the end of that first week rich was intubated and placed on a ventilator. Once placed on the ventilator Rich could be heavily sedated. Since that time rich has only been awake a few hours.

 Although he has had some complications such as pneumonia, it is anticipated that Rich will make a recovery from this. The biggest question is how long will it take? No one can answer those questions, however several people suggest it will take about 1 year for a full recovery.

 Rich does have healthcare insurance, but the out of pocket cost of this illness will most likely be astronomical. Rich has been placed on temporary disability and his family will now only be receiving 60% of his income.

 We are asking for donations to help Rich’s wife with his medical bills, expenses associated with this illness, loss of his income, extra child care costs that she is going to incur as a result of this (they have two young children ages 7 &11), and lastly holiday gifts for the children who will most likely be visiting their father in the hospital for Christmas.

 Rich is a proud man and will have a hard time excepting these donations, however his family needs the help! Rich has always been a very charitable person, always giving to others in need. Now its time we can give back to him!

 As an incentive to give, his business Pure Ink Tattoo will chose one random person who has donated and give them a $500 Pure Ink Tattoo Gift Certificate. If you re chosen and are not a tattoo fan you can give it to someone or they will auction it off and give all of the money to Rich and his family.

 Thanks for helping!
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Donations 

  • Mary Walker
    • $10 
    • 7 yrs
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Organiser

Ğraig Berkowitz
Organiser
Long Valley, NJ

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