Community Corner

Community Rallies Around Bridgewater Dad Battling Cancer

A GoFundMe has been set up to help Mike Gilmore and his family with mounting medical expenses and their son's college fund.

The community is rallying around a Bridgewater father and Ridge High School teacher who is battling cancer. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with mounting medical expenses.
The community is rallying around a Bridgewater father and Ridge High School teacher who is battling cancer. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with mounting medical expenses. (GoFundMe, a promotional partner of Patch)

BASKING RIDGE, NJ — The community is rallying around a Bridgewater father and Ridge High School teacher who is battling cancer. A GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with mounting medical expenses.

Mike Gilmore, who lives in Bridgewater and teaches in Basking Ridge, was diagnosed with a grade 4 glioblastoma (a very aggressive form of cancer) in November. He had some of the tumor removed but it is growing back at a rapid rate, according to a GoFundMe site.

To battle this Gilmore is getting daily radiation treatments in Philadelphia, and is also undergoing daily chemotherapy, according to a GoFundMe site.

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Gilmore and his wife Nicole are both on medical leave from their teaching jobs during this time as an aggressive treatment plan is carried out.

"There has been an overwhelming response from our community in an effort to support the Gilmore family. The meal train fills up the instant it is released. Many of you continue to ask how you can help. This Go Fund Me is our answer," said Jessica Kovacs who set up the GoFundMe.

Find out what's happening in Bridgewaterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The GoFundMe has already raised more than $3,000 of its $5,000 goal. To donate to the GoFundMe click here.

The fundraiser page also includes a link for those to help with the Gilmore's son Tommy’s college education fund. To contribute to Tommy’s education fund visit ugift529.com and then enter Tommy’s Ugift code: P54-J5S.

"Please share this with as many people as possible so that we can do our best to help relieve their financial burdens," Kovacs said. "Mike, Nicole, and their son, Tommy are beyond grateful for our support."

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