Stand with Sal, a Dedicated First Responder

Story

Hello, my name is Lou Bartolomeo, a brother in blue (NYPD), and one of my best friends, Sal Longo, is in need of your help. I never thought in a million years that Sal would be going through this, but on September 11, 2001, both Sal’s and my life changed forever. We were both first responders for the NYPD on that fateful day. Sal served in the United States Army for two years (and then four years – U.S. Army Reserves), worked twenty years for NYPD, and then served as a police officer for the School District of Palm Beach County for eighteen years.

In June 2008, I was diagnosed with bladder cancer from 9/11, and in October 2014, Sal was diagnosed with Polycythemia-Vera from 9/11. Sal was put on a chemo pill and had bloodletting (phlebotomy) every week, just to try to keep the cancer in check. If you have ever worked with Sal, or met him through a friend, you know he is not the one to give up, as his courage, willpower, and discipline are so inspiring.

Sal takes multiple chemo pills throughout the day and his cancer has turned into Myelofibrosis Stage 2. Sal’s spleen is nine times the size of a normal person and his spleen is pushing on his other organs, which causes him a lot of pain. Over the past two years, Sal and his wife made weekly visits to the University of Miami Comprehensive Cancer Center. Sal is now at the point where the chemo pills will not continue to fight his cancer and the only opportunity to save his life is going through a complete Bone Marrow Transplant.

The physical, mental, and emotional support from his family and close friends has been overwhelming; however, the financial burdens have drastically increased. We have decided to reach out to the greater community for financial support to help Sal fight for his life. Sal was hesitant to share this publicly, but no fight has ever been won in isolation.

The financial support that we are hoping for will be to cover lodging that Sal and his wife will have to stay in by the hospital for three months, medications, and transportation costs. The doctors need Sal to stay close to the hospital after the Bone Marrow Transplant to monitor him and return for immunotherapy treatments. Sal’s medical insurance will not cover the expenses of living close to the hospital for the three months after the transplant. Any contributions will help alleviate some of the stress and burden on Sal, and the power of the community and GOD coming together will help Sal to keep on fighting.

It is with heartfelt gratitude that I say thank you for reading through and for any contributions made. One more thing I ask for is to have him in your prayers, so all our voices are heard.

May God bless you and yours

With gratitude,
Louie B.

Organizers :

Salvatore Longo is organizing this fundraiser.