Friends, family, residents of the Susquehanna Valley and beyond, today we're reaching out to ask for your help. Six weeks ago, Eric Dandes suffered a perforated colon and bleeding ulcer, which resulted in life-threatening peritonitis. Surgeons at Evangelical Community Hospital performed an emergency colectomy, removing the entire colon, resulting in the need for an ileostomy.

A beloved husband, father, and veteran, Eric is a kind soul, never unwilling to go above and beyond to help those in need. As a long-time reporter for the Daily Item, Eric is known for his work with veterans, firefighters, law enforcement, local shelters, educational institutions and many other worthy causes.

Subsequent to his surgery Eric suffered a series of four mini-strokes and spent ten days in the Intensive Care Unit before being moved to Intermediate Care for a further two weeks. Working with physical, occupational and speech therapists, dieticians and wound specialists Eric was deemed fit for transfer to Inpatient Physical Therapy. Unfortunately while in Physical Therapy he developed an infection and became tachycardic, resulting in him spending a further week and a half in the Acute Care unit.

Two days ago Eric was once again transferred to Physical Therapy, where he will spend approximately two weeks recovering with the ultimate goal of attending an outpatient facility.

We’re asking today for your help in supporting Eric and his family, through this tremendously difficult time.

Unfortunately, since being in hospital Eric was placed on medical leave from the Daily Item, resulting in total loss of income. At the same time, he is still obliged to pay the $900 per month cost of health and life-insurance that would normally be covered by his salary. We have exhausted all of our savings, our resources, and whatever we had on hand, and are now turning to you for assistance.

We need help paying for:

• Eric’s surgery and recovery time at Evangelical Community Hospital.
• Any time spent in an outpatient facility for physical therapy.
• Ostomy supplies and other medical needs, including visiting nurses, going forward.

And lastly, we need your help filling in the gaps that the loss of several months income will mean for his family. We know we're asking a lot, but if you can't ask your family, friends and community for help, who can you ask? You never think it will happen to you until it does.

The best and most direct help you can provide, is through this GoFundme.

If Eric’s kindness, his enthusiasm, dedication, or his efforts on behalf of your cause have ever touched you, please consider reflecting that back to him in his time of need.

Please share and signal boost this GoFundMe as much as you are able - Every dollar helps.

With our most sincere thanks,

The Dandes Family