Fundraiser for ailing East Rockaway man a success

About 200 residents of East Rockaway and its surrounding towns came out to a fundraiser boutique to support Joe Murphy, an East Rockaway resident in need of a new heart and kidney, at the Grant Avenue Firehouse on Jan. 15.

“It went well,” said Danielle Metzger, one of the event organizers. “The family was very grateful. We had great support from our town and other towns as well.”

Murphy, 55, was diagnosed with congestive heart failure and kidney cancer last year, and had to have one of his kidneys removed. During the procedure, a blood clot formed on his other kidney. Murphy suffered a stroke while recovering, which caused his heart to weaken and forced him to use a left ventricular assist valve, which is a mechanical heart pump that he must wear at all times.

Murphy is home recovering and fighting to get healthy enough to be a candidate for lifesaving organs. His wife, Jackie, and sons, Ryan, 20, and Colin, 17, were able to take part in the fundraiser.

Ryan is new to the East Rockaway Fire Department and met Metzger because she works as an EMT. Metzger said Jackie was once an aide to her niece, Alexis, in school, so her family has known her for more than a decade.

According to Metzger, plenty of vendors pitched in to help the boutique, including Pampered Chef, Danielle’s Dandys, Lularoe and Just Pawfection. She added that money was also raised via donations and raffles.

“I think they’re amazing and I’m not surprised,” Metzger said of the local residents. “After Hurricane Sandy, this town just always comes together when need be.”

Mary Malloy contributed to this article.