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Funeral Costs and Other Expenses

My name is CJ. On May 23rd, my brother, Jon, passed away from Coronavirus infection that had been complicated by COPD and a stroke he suffered while he was on a ventilator. Paying for his final arrangements has depleted the contents of my savings account.  The cost of having him cremated and holding a service for him is approximately $1500. Aside from this, I am also financially responsible for his children for the time being. Combine this with the fact that I am in the process of moving out of my house, with the hope of selling it by the end of the year, and I am in a bit of a bind financially.  I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has already come through to send me money in these trying times. I am happy to report that I have raised approximately $500 this way. However, that $500 has already been either spent or earmarked for groceries, deposits to the funeral home, and paying my electric bill. I'm paying around $1500 in funeral costs, $800 to financially support my nieces for the month, and $300 in out-of-pocket costs to see my rheumatologist, psychiatrist, pulmonologist, and GP for this month, and to pay for the medications that they prescribe to me. That means I am paying $2300 in expenses I did not plan for. While I was privileged enough to have most of that in my savings account, that money had already been earmarked for essential living expenses for myself and my fiancee, who is financially dependent on me, since she has been unable to work as a bicycle courier due to the pandemic. Without that money in my account, I may not be able to pay for our out of pocket medical expenses, transportation to and from work (in my case), and doing the last set of home renovations I need to do in order to sell my house. And due to the trauma that I suffered in this house last year - both the home invasion and being assaulted by the perpetrators - staying on track to sell the place by the end of the year is crucial for my mental well-being. I have always tried to help people in my community who need financial assistance, and I am more grateful than I can express to community members who have done the same for me, both now and going forward. I do not enjoy having to ask for help, and was raised to be as self-sufficient as possible, but these are scary times, and I do not want to go into financial ruin behind them. If you cannot help by donating, I ask that you share this post as widely as you can. I hope that everyone and their loved ones are safe and healthy, and continue to stay that way. - CJ, 5/27/20
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Donations 

  • Anonymous
    • $50 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $20 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $30 
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $15 
    • 4 yrs
  • Damien Leeds
    • $40 
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

CJ Wilson
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY

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