Fundraiser Started For Portland Mother Needing Brain Surgery

PORTLAND, CT — A coworker of a Portland mother has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for brain surgery expenses following a car crash last month, The Middletown Press reported. Melysa D’Amato, 48, said she blacked out while driving home the night of Nov. 13 and crashed her car.

A week later, doctors discovered D'Amato's brain tumor. She said that she'd unknowingly had the tumor for a quite a while and that it was growing in the worst place possible, according to The Middletown Press.

D’Amato has worked at Midstate Medical Center in Meriden for more than five years with friend and coworker Tami Califiore, who created the GoFundMe.

Califore wrote on GoFundMe: "A great friend, Mother, Sister, Daughter, Aunt and co-worker needs our help. She was in a car accident which left her with a broken arm but unfortunately, that's not all! When she was treated at the hospital they discovered a large brain tumor. She needs multiple surgeries to remove this tumor. She has already been out of work for over a month, and will be out for another 6 months or longer. She has been caring for patients at the same hospital for 5 and a half years. Now, she needs us to care for her. She has a 3 year old and 5 year old to take care of. Let's do all we can. Take some stress away so that she can heal and get back to work! If anyone can do this, she can. We are here to help. We love you, Melysa!"

So far, more than $5,000 of the $10,000 goal has been raised. If you'd like to donate, go to the GoFundMe page.