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The James C. Pellow Recovery Fund

My brother James needs your help. For 25+ years, he's worked at Stephen's Talkhouse, the renown Amagansett bar and music venue, first as a bouncer (he's a big guy) and for more than a decade as manager and bartender. But after a couple of weeks work this summer, he knew something was wrong. A lifelong asthma sufferer, James sensed his shortness of breath was more severe than normal. From mid-May through most of June, he couldn't get through two shifts in a row. He didn't have the strength to serve as a pallbearer at the funeral of his dear friend's mother. When he finally went to the Southampton Hospital emergency room, James found out how close to death he was: he had a blood clot in his heart, congestive heart failure, cardiomyopathy, and atrial fibriliation (afib). This was exacerbated by his mild diabetes turning acute. After five days in Southampton Hospital he was transferred to Stonybrook University Hospital where he had a stent put in one artery and began taking the strongest bloodthinners available to try to dissolve the potentially fatal clot. Although now stabilized, and having lost more than 50 pounds of fluids that had built up in his system, his heart is only working at 30% of capacity. For the near future, he must wear a "Life Vest" which will deliver a shock akin to the electric paddles you see EMTs on TV using to jumpstart a heart. The bills? Over $90,000 for Stonybrook and $50,000 for Southampton. Medications will run to more than $400 a month just for the bloodthinners. While insurance will cover much of this cost, his annual income derived solely from working a busy Hamptons bar will be close to zero. Ask friends who know him and they'll tell you James is a stand-up guy. He stood up for me many times, serving as a groomsman at my wedding. Now I need you to stand up for him. Your donations will offset his loss of income and help defray future costs. He needs the funds as soon as possible and we're trying to reach our goal by Labor Day. Please give generously!
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Donations 

  • Michael Rotter
    • $1,000 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer

John Istel
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY

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