Local Family Needs Help After Father's Unexpected, 'Traumatic' Surgery

NORTH FORK, NY — The North Fork community is coming together to help a well-loved local family during a time of need.

A GoFundMe, "Lenny Daddona's Open Heart Surgery and Recovery," was created by Randee and Lenny Daddona's children Matthew, Kaitlin, Julia, Michael, and Olivia after their father had unexpected surgery.

"On Wednesday, March 13, our dad Lenny went in for a routine doctor's appointment and was immediately transferred to South Shore University Hospital, where a few days later he would undergo a quadruple bypass surgery," they wrote. "An emergency open-heart surgery would devastate any family. For Lenny and our mom, Randee, it also means an incredible disruption to the most important time of the year for them financially.

Both parents are self-employed, they said, with Lenny depending on his seasonal irrigation business to make ends meet.

"Recovery from such a major surgery will keep Lenny out of work for months, making medical and monthly bills difficult to keep up with," they said. "If you know our dad, you understand how humble, selfless and hardworking he is. He consistently puts others before himself, especially his friends and family. As his children, we are asking for help as we support our dad's recovery and show him the type of support he has always given us."

Olivia added: "Asking for help really isn't easy. I've always admired my parents for their work ethic and tenacity, running their own businesses and taking care of five kids. Now it's our time to take care of them."

She added that after her dad's routine check-up, he "never got to leave the hospital. While we are hopeful that in a few months time he'll be stronger than he has ever been, we recognize that the time in between will be really, really tough. As a seasonal worker, my dad makes most of the money he needs throughout the year in the spring, making an already traumatic and excruciating experience even more stressful. Please consider contributing or sharing this GoFundMe link with your networks. Every bit counts," she said.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.