Friends of Kirk
Donation protected
UPDATE (2016): A little over a year ago, my friend Kirk Speigel, suffered an aortic aneurism. The mortality rate for an aortic aneurism is 97%, but Kirk pulled through following touch and go surgery, an induced coma, and a long rehabilitation. As a complication of the surgery, Kirk lost circulation in his extremities and both of his lower legs, as well as the better part of the fingers on his right hand, had to be amputated. Insurance covered the prosthetics for his legs, but because he's t...aken a long time to heal, he's only been able to walk on one prosthetic leg so far. Insurance will not even cover the prosthetics for his fingers. He will have to pay for those out of pocket. He only recently started receiving a paltry amount of SSI, has had to pay for much of his rehabilitation out of pocket, and is responsible for the copays for his prosthetic training. Kirk is unable to get low income housing because he doesn't make enough, as strange as that sounds.
Anyone who knows Kirk also knows that he's a keyboard player extraordinaire, but he's been unable to gig for over a year. He would eventually like to get back to playing. That would help him cover his copays for his prosthetic training, pay for prosthetic fingers, and outfit his car with a special gas/brake switch for the steering wheel, which he obviously needs.
Last November 7th, we held a Concert for Kirk at Jamison's in Pemberton, NJ. That, together with a GoFundMe campaign, helped Kirk pay his rent for the better part of a year. In order to help Kirk with his continuing medical bills, living expenses, and improve his mobility, we have decided to hold another concert at Jamison's. It will be held in the afternoon on Sunday, August 7th, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will be 5 bands, in the following order: The Relics, Big Bang, Blue Steel, The Fender Benders, and Blue Reign. Tickets are $20 at the door, and ALL of the proceeds will go to Kirk. The first concert was a blast, and we're hoping the second one can be as successful as the first. With your help, we can make that happen! If you can't make the concert, please consider donating to Kirk on gofundme.
ORIGINAL POST (2015): Kirk Speigel is a self-employed musician living in Southern New Jersey. Just before Memorial Day, complaining of difficulty breathing, he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm. He was admitted to Cooper University Hospital's ER, but because of the severity of his case, he was transferred by medivac to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His condition was grave and he was placed in a medically induced coma to try to stabilize it. In the middle of the night when he was quite close to death and could have gone either way, his brother gave the ok for the doctors to remove the aneurysm. The doctors had to replace a 4-5" section of his aorta. Kirk was left extremely weak from the surgery, spending a total of 3 weeks in the ICU, a week in a step-down room, and about 10 days in a rehabilitation center, before finally returning home. As part of the surgery, they had to stop his heart for several minutes, which led to necrosis of his extremities. At the beginning of November, his right foot, the toes on his left foot, and the fingertips on his right hand will have to be amputated. The doctors have been waiting until then in order to make sure that Kirk will be strong enough to survive the surgery. Kirk's main instrument is piano and losing the fingertips on his right hand will obviously have an impact on his ability to perform and earn a living. In addition, he will have mobility issues caused by the amputation of his right foot and toes on his left foot. He has had very little income coming in since before Memorial Day and on top of that, he has to find a new apartment in the next 4 weeks because his landlord just sold the house that he's been living in. We're holding a benefit fundraising concert on November 7th at Jamison's in Pemberton, NJ from 1-8, but we realize that not everyone will be able to make it and many people would like to donate directly to Kirk to help with his living and medical expenses. That's the purpose of this gofundme account and why we are seeking donations here. We hope that fellow musicians, music lovers, and friends of Kirk will rise to the occasion and support Kirk, just as he would gladly do for any of us.
Anyone who knows Kirk also knows that he's a keyboard player extraordinaire, but he's been unable to gig for over a year. He would eventually like to get back to playing. That would help him cover his copays for his prosthetic training, pay for prosthetic fingers, and outfit his car with a special gas/brake switch for the steering wheel, which he obviously needs.
Last November 7th, we held a Concert for Kirk at Jamison's in Pemberton, NJ. That, together with a GoFundMe campaign, helped Kirk pay his rent for the better part of a year. In order to help Kirk with his continuing medical bills, living expenses, and improve his mobility, we have decided to hold another concert at Jamison's. It will be held in the afternoon on Sunday, August 7th, from 1:00 pm to 6:00 pm. There will be 5 bands, in the following order: The Relics, Big Bang, Blue Steel, The Fender Benders, and Blue Reign. Tickets are $20 at the door, and ALL of the proceeds will go to Kirk. The first concert was a blast, and we're hoping the second one can be as successful as the first. With your help, we can make that happen! If you can't make the concert, please consider donating to Kirk on gofundme.
ORIGINAL POST (2015): Kirk Speigel is a self-employed musician living in Southern New Jersey. Just before Memorial Day, complaining of difficulty breathing, he was diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm. He was admitted to Cooper University Hospital's ER, but because of the severity of his case, he was transferred by medivac to the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. His condition was grave and he was placed in a medically induced coma to try to stabilize it. In the middle of the night when he was quite close to death and could have gone either way, his brother gave the ok for the doctors to remove the aneurysm. The doctors had to replace a 4-5" section of his aorta. Kirk was left extremely weak from the surgery, spending a total of 3 weeks in the ICU, a week in a step-down room, and about 10 days in a rehabilitation center, before finally returning home. As part of the surgery, they had to stop his heart for several minutes, which led to necrosis of his extremities. At the beginning of November, his right foot, the toes on his left foot, and the fingertips on his right hand will have to be amputated. The doctors have been waiting until then in order to make sure that Kirk will be strong enough to survive the surgery. Kirk's main instrument is piano and losing the fingertips on his right hand will obviously have an impact on his ability to perform and earn a living. In addition, he will have mobility issues caused by the amputation of his right foot and toes on his left foot. He has had very little income coming in since before Memorial Day and on top of that, he has to find a new apartment in the next 4 weeks because his landlord just sold the house that he's been living in. We're holding a benefit fundraising concert on November 7th at Jamison's in Pemberton, NJ from 1-8, but we realize that not everyone will be able to make it and many people would like to donate directly to Kirk to help with his living and medical expenses. That's the purpose of this gofundme account and why we are seeking donations here. We hope that fellow musicians, music lovers, and friends of Kirk will rise to the occasion and support Kirk, just as he would gladly do for any of us.
Organizer
Bill Rovins
Organizer
Riverton, NJ
