Fundraiser Aids MA National Guardsman Injured On Duty

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A local student and National Guardsman lost his arm after an on-duty accident recently, prompting his girlfriend to start a fundraiser to assist with his recovery.

Reda Said, who was set to start his senior year at Framingham State this fall, joined the National Guard at age 17 to pursue his goal of becoming a police officer, girlfriend Sofia Bendok wrote in a GoFundMe appeal.

Said was involved in a traffic accident at the National Guard's Framingham armory on Aug. 20, according to the Massachusetts National Guard.

"Vehicle operations present risk to soldiers and the Massachusetts National Guard mitigates those risks to the greatest extent possible through procedures and training," Massachusetts National Guard Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Gary Keefe said in a news release. "The Guard takes safety and precautions to prevent accidents very seriously.”

Said emigrated to Malden at age 5, and has been studying criminology at Framingham State, she said.

"Reda is the strongest, hardworking and most loving, amazing person I know," Bendok wrote. "This has taken a tremendous toll on his loved ones, and any reassurance for financial stability is greatly appreciated by the Said family."

As of Tuesday morning, the fundraiser for Said was near $28,000 against a goal of raising $35,000.