Livingston Cop Has Stroke, Family Seeks Help With Medical Bills

LIVINGSTON, NJ — For the past 25 years, Mike Prendergast has proudly served his childhood community of Livingston as a police officer. He’s a husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend.

But for a change, Prendergast needs the help of his community, his family and friends say.

Melanie Groves, a family friend of Prendergast, recently reached out to Patch to let us know that the Livingston native has suffered a stroke and faces a long road to recovery. As part of an effort to lend aid to a much-deserved member of the local community, Prendergast’s friends have launched an online fundraiser that will help his wife, Gina, focus on caring for her husband and their two young daughters as he embarks on his treatment process.

• See related article: Meet 10 NJ Families Who Had To Crowdfund For Healthcare

According to the GoFundMe campaign, which can be seen in full here:

“For those of you that may not know, while at home on Sunday, December 3, Mike suffered a stroke. His wife had just come home from grocery shopping and Mike was sitting on the couch watching football. There is a funny and playful side to Mike, so when Gina spoke to him and he looked at her but didn’t reply, she thought he was joking around. Some time had passed and Gina was over what she thought was Mike’s teasing; she begged him to respond and out of frustration she told him if he didn’t get up or answer her she would call 9-1-1. His two young daughters began to cry and Gina made the call that ultimately saved Mike’s life. The Tinton Falls’ Police Department, as well as the ambulance arrived and rushed him to Jersey Shore University Medical Center, where the neurosurgeon was able to remove the clot in his brain. Mike has spent the past two days in the neurological trauma/intensive care unit surrounded by his wife, sister, oldest daughter and friends.”

The GoFundMe campaign states:

“The doctor advised the family that this will be a long recovery, at least a year, but everyone is different. Currently Mike’s right side is impaired and his speech is slurred, but there was positive improvement in the first 24-hours. Mike was also able to swallow and eat soft, chopped up food. As soon as tomorrow, Mike may be moved to a regular floor at the hospital, where he will continue to be surrounded by his wife and daughters, while receiving care as the next steps in his recovery are planned.”

The campaign will help to pay for “countless hours of medical care, nursing assistance and therapy.” (Read more or donate here)

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Photo: GoFundMe

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