John's Crazy Socks Donates Socks To Huntington Hospital Staff

HUNTINGTON, NY — John Cronin, co-founder of John's Crazy Socks, donated more than 100 pairs of socks to health care workers at Huntington Hospital on Tuesday, according to a news release from the hospital.

Cronin's gesture was that of appreciation after the staff of Huntington Hospital treated him for the coronavirus disease. Cronin, 24, who has Down syndrome, arrived at the hospital on Christmas morning with low oxygen levels and full-blown pneumonia from COVID-19.

Dr. John Anderson and nurse Patricia Coffey began treating Cronin with an aggressive regimen of high-flow oxygen, steroids, Remdisivir, antibiotics and a blood thinner. Cronin began to recover after several days of treatment. He was discharged a week later on New Year's Day.

"Throughout the pandemic, Huntington Hospital’s employees have worked tirelessly to provide world-class care to those suffering from this abhorrent virus," said Nick Fitterman, MD, executive director of Huntington Hospital. "We are grateful to John and his father Mark for recognizing us with this generous donation and we look forward to sporting our socks throughout the hospital."

Mark Cronin, who helped John co-found John's Crazy Socks, was allowed to stay with his son during his hospital stay, he said. John received important support, which aided the medical staff in his treatment, according to the hospital. Mark's support helped John overcome the higher risk faced by people with Down syndrome who contract COVID-19, the hospital said.

Mark thanked the hospital for allowing him to be with his son.

"Huntington’s compassionate care showed with their willingness to allow a support person to stay with a patient with an intellectual disability," he said via the news release. "We understand these decisions are challenging as the hospital must balance protecting patients and staff from community members that may harbor COVID-19 against the special needs of vulnerable patients. It demonstrates the human side of medical treatment that we urge all hospitals to follow."

John’s Crazy Socks, a company built to promote differing abilities in the workplace, counted former presidents George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton as customers. Its donation to Huntington Hospital includes socks that feature ambulances, fire trucks and medical equipment.

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