Community Rallies To Help Lindenhurst Woman Diagnosed With Cancer

LINDENHURST, NY - The Lindenhurst community is coming together to help a local resident and widow of a Lindenhurst firefighter after she was diagnosed with cancer.

Local resident Sarah Callahan recently started a campaign on GoFundMe to help out local resident Joanne Benkert.

"For those of you who do not know Joanne (or Joannie as her late husband Joe used to call her) she’s the type of woman who would do anything for anyone and now that she is in need, it’s our turn to be there for her," Callahan wrote on the website.

Last month, Benkert was diagnosed with advanced Stage 4 Lung Cancer, with one of the tumors resting so close to her heart that it was deemed inoperable.

In addition, a pet scan revealed that the cancer had already traveled throughout her lymph nodes to her brain and spine.

First, doctors want to removed the three tumors located on her brain using radiation and immunotherapy as chemotherapy isn’t a possibility at this time.

That means costs will be high between sure co-payments and uncovered procedures.

According to Callahan, images alone are $1,000 each.

It is extra difficult for Benkert since she cannot work currently and is working to care for her three children Joseph, Kaitlyn and Amy.

To add to it, Benkert's husband Joseph, a Lindenhurst Volunteer Firefighter, died suddenly of a heart attack in 2006 when their youngest child was just 10-years-old.

However, Benkert has remained a vital part of the local community herself. She was a two-time past President of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Lindenhurst Fire Department, a past President of the Wyandanch Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and has worked closely with local seniors at the Lindenhurst Rainbow Center for many years.

She is also very actively involved with helping out the Lindenhurst Fire Department Snails Drill Team and a coach of the Junior Snails Drill Team.

"Joanne is a good hearted person who has dedicated the majority of her life to volunteer work and our community is all the better for it," Callahan wrote. "As you can see, Joannie has fought tirelessly to bring joy to many. Won’t you join us in the spirit of the season to return some Joy to Joanne?"

The goal of the page is to raise a total of $50,000 for Benkert and her family. As of Monday, the page has raised a total of $10,640.

All donations will go towards doctor bills, hospital stays, housing, monthly living expenses and health care assistance.

For more information or to donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.

Image via GoFundMe/JOY for JOANNIE