Community Rallying For Friend Who Needs Stem Cell Transplant

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — In times of need, East End friends rally to help — and they're standing strong beside a man with leukemia as he fights the battle of his life.

A GoFundMe, "Help Neil Salvaggio Win The Fight," was created in June by Joseph Shaw in Hampton Bays to help his longtime friend and colleague at the Press News Group.

"Bad things happen to good people. All the time," Shaw wrote. "Neil Salvaggio is my friend — but that's not unusual. Neil is everyone's friend. He's well-known, well-liked. Good poker player ("The Badger!") and reasonably good golfer. He's also the kind of guy who will do anything for a friend. Now it's our turn."

Now, Shaw has updated the campaign to let supporters know that help is still badly needed.

"Just wanted to encourage folks to consider a new donation to help out our friend Neil, whose battle with leukemia continues — and is about to take a major step," he wrote. "He will begin the process leading to a stem cell transplant next week, with the actual procedure to take place in early September, most likely. After that, it'll be a couple of months of recovery: A stem cell transplant is serious stuff, and the recovery is not going to be fun for Neil. But, at the same time, it gives him the best chance of getting through this."

And, Shaw said: "If you're like me, you want to demonstrate just how much Neil is on our thoughts, and how we're behind him. This extended medical leave comes with its share of financial difficulties — which is where we can help out, each pitching in a little bit to share the load. Hope you'll join me in considering a second round of donations to the cause. He's worth it!"

Photo courtesy GoFundMe.