Benefit Being Held to Assist Erie-Area's Mike Gallagher
A benefit in support of longtime broadcaster and photographer Mike Gallagher will be held July 14. Well-known throughout the college and high school communities in the Erie area for nearly three decades, Gallagher has endured numerous setbacks since suffering an injury while covering a Cleveland Browns game in 1988. Following is a press release issued by the Teamsters Local Union No. 8 detailing Gallagher's situation and the event in his honor.
For more information, please contact Union Steward Brenda Horvath at 814-548-1429 or 800-537-1757.
RELEASE
Members of Teamsters Local No. 8 from Behrend Housing/Foodservice are holding a fundraiser to benefit Mike Gallagher, a local cameraman/sportscaster. Mike was injured while videotaping a play in the back of the end zone in Cleveland on December 18, 1988. The fundraiser will be held at Mound Grove Golf Course on July 14, 2012.
Since his injury he has endured 47 surgeries, walks with a cane, and takes up to 12 different medicines a day, one of which costs $490 a month. He also has kidney failure and is facing a kidney transplant. The doctors have ruled out prolonged dialysis. He has also developed some sort of lung disease.
As a result of his injuries and illnesses he has lost the only home his five children have ever known. He continues to battle for social security and his long term disability insurance.
He was let go from WJET in October 2011 after 28 years because doctors would no longer clear him to work. Despite all of this, Mike continues to have a positive outlook and truly enjoys life.
We are holding this benefit to help defray some of the costs he and his family have and will incur as a result of all of this.
Any donation you could give would be GREATLY APPRECIATED!
