Jim Palazzo's Open Heart Surgery

I have known Jim and his wife Sandy for as long as I can remember! Jim is a Boonton staple. I would go as far to say that if you are from Boonton or the surrounding area, you know Jim, Sandy, his son Danny, daughter Leanne, or at least one of his many siblings, nieces or nephews. Maybe Jim sold you parts for your car, served you one Saturday night at Johnnies, or perhaps he helped you out when you needed it most, gave you money when he didn't have it, picked you up when you had a flat tire after a long day of work. That is who Jim is, part of his character, part of his family values, part of being from Boonton the Small Town with a Big Heart. Now Jim needs our help!

Just before the pandemic hit, Jim's doctor found a heart murmur during a routine physical and scheduled him for an echocardiogram. Then Covid put the world on hold, and hospitals canceled all elective screenings. At the end of 2021, Jim was finally able to reschedule the echocardiogram. He was shocked when his doctor told him he needed open-heart surgery to replace his mitral valve. Knowing that he is the primary source of income for his family, his insurance would not fully cover major surgery, and being out of work for several months would put them in a financially crippling situation... Jim considered not having the surgery. Thankfully, after reaching out to his cousin, who is a cardiologist, for a second opinion, he scheduled the surgery. As part of routine procedure, Jim had several tests done in the months and weeks leading up to the surgery. He went to the hospital the day before the surgery for the doctor to do a cardiac catheterization to check for blocked arteries for the final test. He and his family were again shocked to find out that he has an artery with 80% blockage and also needs a bypass! Today is surgery day!

As I write this Jim is preparing for this surgery, probably sitting in the hospital stressing about the financial burden this is putting on his family. But we can help! Please donate whatever you can and share widely. All funds raised will be used to cover the cost of medical bills, recovery services, and pay his and his family's bills and living expenses on his long road to recovery. Please donate generously, share widely, and pray for Jim and the Palazzo family!