Derek Popp

Many of you know Derek Popp as a classmate (Gloucester High School, 1998; Boston College, 2002) and as a colleague at JP Morgan Chase over the last 16 years. What many don’t know is that Derek was born with a bicuspid aortic valve, which restricts the heart’s blood flow to the body. Since the time he was a child, Derek and his family knew that one day he would face major surgery to address this issue.

That day came for Derek on June 20, 2017. After seeing his doctor for his annual check-up, his primary care physician advised him that his heart was in critical condition. A few days later, Derek checked into Mass General Hospital in Boston for open heart, aortic valve replacement surgery. Unfortunately, a blood clot formed during surgery and traveled to Derek’s brain, which caused him to suffer a massive stroke and severe brain swelling. Due to open heart surgery, neurosurgeons could not use a clot buster, which meant that the only option to remove the blood clot was to do it mechanically. This procedure caused Derek to suffer a left hemisphere hemorrhagic stroke and massive brain bleed. Needless to say, the effects were devastating, requiring an emergency craniectomy to save his life.

Derek spent the next 4 weeks in the Intensive Care Unit at Mass General, after which time he was transferred to Spaulding Rehab in Charlestown. After receiving 6 weeks of wonderful care at Spaulding, Derek’s insurance expired and he was discharged to return home to his parents in Gloucester where visiting therapists worked with him several times a week. Over the winter, Derek’s parents brought him to Florida, where he received outpatient therapy 3 times a week and spent 6 weeks undergoing intensive speech therapy at the Aphasia Center in Tampa. Derek also received stem cell treatment at the Stem Cell Institute in April 2018 and underwent 20  Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) sessions.  These treatments were not covered by insurance and more are planned.

The massive stroke that Derek had after open heart surgery left Derek aphasic, which means that he was unable to speak. In addition, the entire right side of Derek’s body was paralyzed. Because of the wonderful treatment and therapy he has received, Derek is now able to occasionally whisper short phrases, such as "Good Morning", although his speech is very limited. Derek’s parents have enrolled him in the Aphasia House in Orlando this Fall to continue with aggressive speech therapy. Derek continues to receive speech therapy, physical therapy and occupational therapy 2 times per week in Salem, but he is still unable to walk and continues to suffer right sided paralysis. 

Unfortunately, Derek’s insurance only allows 60 visits per discipline, after which all treatment and therapy is out-of-pocket.  To date, Derek’s out-of-pocket expenses total over $125,000, which have included purchasing a handicap van for $44,000, a wheelchair, a hoyer lift, his ambulance bill, stem cell treatment, Aphasia Center treatment, and much more.

Derek’s parents have been informed of the GoFundMe effort and they are so incredibly grateful to all who would contribute to Derek’s cause. They will continue to help him fight this with love, determination, and support. Derek has touched so many lives and is an inspiration to all who know him. He would move mountains for his friends and family without asking for anything in return. Please consider donating to Derek’s cause and help us give back to one of our dearest friends.