A man hailed as a hero of the Boston bombings who had lost both legs in the blast is now facing a pile of medical bills, but thanks to the power of the web, he will not be left in a lurch.
Jeff Bauman, 27, who was depicted in the now-iconic and extremely graphic picture being carried away from the scene of the explosion with his legs severed below the knee, helped police identify the suspects in the attack, one of whom looked him in the eye just before the bombs went off.
Although the 27-year-old victim is covered by medical insurance from his employer, Costco, his treatment and rehabilitation are expected to be both lengthy and costly.
Every dollar counts: Friends of Jeff Bauman (pictured center) have raised more than $330,000 on the crowdfunding site gofundme.com to help cover his medical expenses
Iconic image: Jeff Bauman, 27, was depicted in the extremely graphic picture being carried away from the scene of the explosion with his legs severed below the knee
Eager to help Bauman, his friends set up an online funding campaign in his honor called Bucks for Bauman on the crowdfunding site gofundme.com, hoping to raise $1million to cover the costs of his surgery and other medical expenses.
Since the page went live Tuesday, more than 8,200 people have donated over $334,000 towards Bauman's care.
'We have created this fundraiser to raise money to help support our dear friend, Jeff and his family,’ the page states. ‘As most of you know, Jeff was severely affected by the tragedy that had taken place at the Patriots Day Boston Marathon this year.
‘Throughout this difficult time we want to help in every which way we possibly can to get Bauman back on track as soon as possible.’
‘Medical bills are going to start rolling in, let's get a head start on helping out Bauman and his family!’ it adds. ‘Every dollar counts!!’
The cost of treating the bombing survivors’ injuries is expected to exceed $9million, according to some estimates.
Selfless: Bauman has been hailed as a hero for helping police identify the two suspects in the marathon attack
Key witness: After waking up in the hospital, Bauman asked for pen and paper and wrote down that he saw a man with a bag who looked him in the eye just before the explosions
According to ThinkProgress.org, the 27-year-old man was working part time at Costco Wholesale Corp. and planned to go back to school.
When Bauman regained consciousness in Boston Medical Center after the bombing, his brother told Bloomberg he asked for a pen and paper and wrote, 'bag, saw the guy, looked right at me,' referring to one of the suspected bombers identified as Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev.
Like nearly 98 per cent of Massachusetts resident, Bauman is fortunate enough to have health insurance to help cover his medical bills, but his employer, Costco Wholesale Corp., is also matching donations made by colleagues at the chain’s Nashua location, The Boston Globe reported.
Like his friends, executives at Costco rallied around Bauman, agreeing to match donations made by his colleagues at the chain’s Nashua store where the 27-year-old has been employed for more than three years.
Friends to the rescue: Bauman's co-workers at Costco have been donating money to help him, and the company has agreed to match the donations
Big plans: The 27-year-old has been working at Costco for more than three yeas and was planning to go back to school soon
‘What is important is that he is covered and will be taken care of,’ said Bob Nelson, a Costco executive.
Co-workers have been raising money for him since Monday. The retailer has also permitted the store’s general manager, Kevin Horst, to spend the week helping Bauman’s family.
Horst secured three parking spots for Bauman’s relatives outside the hospital where the 27-year-old man is being treated and collected gift certificate donations from various merchants in the South End.
A similar effort has raised more than $400,000 for Celeste Corcoran and her daughter Sydney, who were severely injured in the attack.
Among the donors was comedian Chelsea Handler, who gave $25,000. The mother and daughter also got a visit at the hospital from actor Bradley Cooper.
The fundraising effort in honor of newlyweds Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky has raised about half of the $1million goal
Help pouring in: A campaign on the site giveforward.com set up for Ann and Eric Whalley continues to inch closer toward the $100,000
Celebrity visitor: Actor Bradley Cooper stopped by the hospital room of Celeste Corcoran and her daughter Sydney, who so far have recieved more than $400,000 in donations
Similar crowdfunding campaigns have been launched for victims Roseann Sdoia, Ann and Eric Whalley, and newlyweds Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky.
Sdoia’s friends so far have raised over $155,000, about $100,000 shy if the $250,000 goal. Meanwhile, a campaign on the site giveforward.com set up for the Whalleys continues to inch closer toward the $100,000.
The fundraising effort in honor of the Kenskys has raised about half of the $1million goal
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