“When a stroke hits home.”

My name is Edward Merwick, and I spent my life watching my brother Mike “Beef” Merwick give himself to everyone around him. I have never known such a selfless person as he was until August 2023.

On August 16, 2023, “Beef” had the symptoms of a heart attack while in the presence of his neighbor and dear friend, Travis. Our family is very grateful to Travis for insisting that my brother get in the car and then drive Beef to the hospital emergency room. It was there that a heart attack was confirmed. The doctor insisted my brother Beef immediately see the specialist in Erie, PA. The result was a 5-artery bypass, which began a hard road ahead for my brother.

Sadly, on February 25th, 2024, my brother Beef suffered a stroke and was life-flighted to Pittsburgh. The stroke he suffered has affected his speech and caused paralysis of the right side of his body. As his brain continued to swell, I had to make the decision to have lifesaving surgery to remove his left skull flap, to allow the brain to swell without increasing pressure in his skull.

Beef and I are the closest siblings in the family of nine. We were both very involved in the Boys and Girls Clubs of America for many years, both in the Pittsburgh region and Jamestown, NY. Beef has always been a “giver”, always helping others in any way he could. He is the kind of man that seems to be known by everyone regardless of where he went and has always been a remarkable human. It is very difficult for anyone that knows him to see him lying in the hospital bed, unable to move his right arm or leg. It’s difficult for him to say many words, and most of the time, we are unable to make out what he is trying to say. Beef is only 60 years old and should have many years to enjoy, and his recovery will be a long hard road, filled with physical and speech rehabilitation.

He has worked all his life to make ends meet, but he was able to buy a house and build a woodshop in his basement, but with his condition now, his life and livelihood may be at risk. Our family and friends cannot let that happen! I have begun this GoFundMe account to help not only save everything he has worked for, but to help with the medical expenses that he will be faced with.

I don’t know where to begin to explain the pain he and our family and friends feel, and most people won’t ever know until they are faced with this kind of situation. We need your help raising at least $50,000 to help. The amount will not cover all his expenses, but it’s a start.

From the bottom of my heart, my family and I thank you in advance for any help you can provide.