Please Help Support Gary and Erin. Thank you!

Dear friends and family, I created this GoFundMe Fundraiser Page for my Cousins Gary and Erin Mantoosh. I am asking you to please consider helping Gary and his daughter Erin through this difficult time. Hospital costs and traveling expenses for them have been insurmountable financially. 

Gary is a good, loving, caring person and Dad who will do anything to help his children. Gary has been supporting and advocating diligently for the past couple of years to get the best medical help and services for his beautiful daughter Erin. As you may know, it is heartbreaking to have a child ill and in critical condition.

I will do my best to explain what Erin and her Dad Gary have been going through. Erin was born with Spina Bifida and had surgery as a child, thankfully Erin was able to lead a normal life. 

In 2020 and 2021 Erin required and underwent two surgeries. Unfortunately Erin became crippled, has a paralyzed diaphragm, unable to breathe correctly, and her spine collapsing. Depending on her father as her health progressively deteriorated, Gary put aside his online business to become his daughter's caregiver and advocate. Gary drove and flew Erin to multiple doctors visits, being by Erin's side for various surgeries and hospital stays, as well as being Erin's caregiver at home.  

Gary searched & traveled with Erin throughout the United States for a surgeon to further help his daughter Erin. He found a well-renowned surgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

January 4, 2022, Erin underwent her third 14-hour extensive spinal surgery. The surgeon decompressed her spinal cord and straightened her spine into a normal position. Erin now has a full metal cage from the top of her neck to the bottom of her back. Thankfully, she survived the surgery. Erin was in ICU for 2 months, on a ventilator, had pneumonia, required a feeding tube, and unable to walk. Erin has a tracheotomy and was transferred to Kessler Rehabilitation Institute to begin her spinal rehabilitation program. Erin's stay there was cut short as she was transferred to Saint Barnabas Hospital for osteomyelitis, bone infection, severe pressure sores,  pneumonia and cardiac arrest, thank God she survived. Erin has returned to Kessler Rehabilitation Institute for much needed extensive and lengthy rehabilitation.

Please consider supporting this family through this difficult and very challenging time. All donations will go directly to Gary and Erin to help cover medical and travel expenses. 

Gary and Erin will benefit from all your prayers, support and encouragement as Erin proceeds through the long journey of healing and recovery.

Thank you all so very much for considering helping us with this fundraiser, for all your prayers and support. God bless!

Love, thanks and hugs, Sharon