How To Help A Local Man Recovering From Emergency Eye Surgery

WEST ISLIP, NY - A West Islip resident recently started a fundraiser to help a local man recovering from an emergency eye surgery.

LisaMarie McCaffrey started the GoFundMe page on behalf of Frank Cox, who after having surgery four months ago is still unable to work and is not eligible to collect disability.

McCaffrey told Patch that Cox had to get the surgery when he woke up one day and couldn't see.

She says Cox doesn't qualify for disability because while his sight is back, he can't put pressure on his eyes and basically needs to relax most of the day. This makes it difficult for the former truck driver to find work.

"To see him so down of his luck, I just felt like we have to help him," she said.

Unfortunately, in addition a sewage pipe burst in his home at the same time of his surgery. This was difficult for Cox to deal with since following his surgery he had to remain laying face down.

As a result of the pipe burst, the entire deck of Cox's home had to be ripped up in order to repair it.

"I can only imagine how much the house bills must be piling up," McCaffrey wrote on the page. "Let's help out our friend who is always selflessly volunteering his time and raising money for others."

In addition to the eye surgery, over the past couple of years Cox also received two hip replacements and suffered from a heart attack.

According to McCaffrey, the 55-year-old West Islip resident, along with his wife Marie and their daughter Jen, have worked to raise money for so many great causes including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, "Kids Need More" (for children with cancer) and the Maria Regina Knights of Columbus.

"I just wanted to pay it forward," she told Patch. "When a good man is down we need to help."

McCaffrey says Cox lives very a modest life and just likes to help people

"Frank is always there to support, protect and check up on his 'Nickname Kids,'" the mother of two wrote.

The goal of the page is to raise $10,000 to help out Cox and his family. As of Tuesday, the page has nearly reached its goal, with a total of $4,375 in donations.

On Monday, Cox posted this message to the page:

I am so thankful for the love and support all of you have shown my family. This has been a very difficult time not only the eye problem but soon after we needed immediate major repairs on our home while I was unable to do anything due to recovery. I cant wait to be back on the giving end. God Bless you all.

To read more or to donate, visit the GoFundMe page here.

Patch is a GoFundMe promotional partner.