Help Buddy Hart Recover After His Spinal Injury

Our dad, Buddy Hart, has spent decades making kids smile, giving his time and heart to others — making you laugh as Buddy the Clown, volunteering across New Jersey communities, coaching youth soccer, and most recently sharing his love of music through local ukulele circles. If you know Buddy, you know his smile, his stories, and his willingness to show up wherever someone needs a hand.

A few weeks ago, while visiting Hawaii, Buddy suffered a freak accident that left him with severe injuries — including breaks to all cervical vertebrae and 6 thoracic bones; basically, he broke his neck and upper back. Miraculously, there was no spinal cord injury amongst all of the damage.

Initially, he was sent home in just a neck brace to recover, but after returning to Philly, he was immediately taken from the airport to the hospital for a second opinion. His neurosurgeon at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) discovered the extent of the damage and rushed him into emergency surgery.

My dad's surgery involved 24 titanium screws, two fused titanium rods, fusing C2-T6, and 53 staples to stabilize his cervical spine. He is now home, in recovery, facing a long and difficult road ahead.

While we are endlessly grateful that he’s here with us, the medical bills and recovery costs are quickly adding up. Unable to work and with ongoing appointments and therapy ahead, our family is doing everything we can — but we could use a little help from the community that Buddy has always loved and served.

If you’re able, please consider making a donation to help cover his medical expenses & recovery care during this time. Every contribution, no matter the size, helps lighten the load and gives Buddy, and our family, the chance to focus on healing.

Thank you for your generosity, prayers, positive vibes, and support.

With love and gratitude,

Jes Rudderow and the Hart Family