East Northport FD Commissioner Battles Lung Cancer; GoFundMe Made

EAST NORTHPORT, NY — A man who has spent decades serving the East Northport community is now in need of help. Wayne Kaifler, Sr., commissioner and former chief of the East Northport Fire Department, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in February.

His daughter, Erica Kaifler, launched a GoFundMe earlier this month to help the family pay for medical bills. You can donate to Kaifler Sr.'s fundraiser here. Over $11,300 has been raised as of Thursday morning.

"Since his diagnosis my dad has become a fighter in the truest sense," Erica wrote on the GoFundMe page. "He has been treating this brutal disease with chemo radiation and immunotherapy sessions. These treatments have not been easy, but my dad has been putting up the necessary fight everyday to go on. Anyone who has met my father knows the kindhearted, caring person he is. For anyone who may not have met him, he would give you the shirt off his back and more."

Kaifler Sr. has served as a member of the East Northport Fire Department since 1983. He was chief of department from 2001-02 and has been commissioner since 2009.

"My father was recently put in the hospital for cancer-related complications and he continues to put up the fight with the dignity and strength that he’s known for," Erica wrote. "However, the medical bills continue to build up and any help including prayers would be much appreciated by my dad and our family at this time. Thank you."