Dr. Peter Andrade, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon at Richmond University Medical Center who has been volunteering his time since the outbreak of the coronavirus, has witnessed the fear and loneliness patients experience since visitors aren’t allowed due to the contagiousness of the illness.
He’s also learned in some instances families of victims can’t afford to claim bodies of their loved ones or provide a proper funeral or burial services, especially since unemployment continues to rise.
That inspired Andrade to start a fundraising initiative called Healing Hands Abroad’s RE-NYC, to provide and support families of COVID-19 victims by affording them the opportunity to give their loved ones a proper goodbye.
FAMILIES BENEFIT FROM THE ORGANIZATION
Members of Staten Island’s Garcia family are the first the organization has been able to comfort.
Juan Gonzalez Garcia died from COVID-19 and his family struggled financially. Funds raised from Andrade’s initiative took care of the funeral.
“The first day as a volunteer physician I saw that the number of deaths was staggering," the doctor said. "It was brought to my attention that many families of the deceased simply couldn’t afford funerals. This meant that the patients were dying alone in the hospital without family at the bedside.”
He added: They were not given a funeral. There was no ceremony to honor the life of the departed. There was no closure. This weighed heavy on me. After reflecting on this reality, I helped start a fundraising campaign called RE-NYC through the non-profit surgical volunteer organization that I have been involved with for 10 years now.”
Andrade said Teodoro Montalbo, a patient, came in for a routine follow up visit after undergoing reconstructive hand/wrist surgery. Teodoro had come to all of the pre-op appointments with his wife and her parents, but at this particular appointment, they were not present.
He told Andrade that in one week his wife lost her father, Juan Gonzalez Garcia, to COVID-19 in Mexico, and he lost his brother, in New York City to COVID-19. And when he asked how he was going to pay for the funeral, he said he didn’t know.
“With glassy eyes, he said he would ask the funeral home if they would finance the funeral and he would somehow find a way to pay them back once he could resume work after he recovered from his hand/wrist injury," the doctor said. "I told him about RE-NYC and that we would cover the entire cost of the funeral. Beautiful emotions ensued and humanity shined bright that day. That was a good day,” Andrade said.
Family members, who were helped by Dr. Peter Andrade's initiative, called RE-NYC, gather at the wake of their loved one. (Courtesy/Lauren Larkin)Staten Island Advance
ADDITIONAL FUNDING
Celebrated artist Donald Robertson has donated an exclusive piece of art that reflects the tenacity and spirit of New York. Although any donation is appreciated, white T-shirts with his unique art print will be mailed as a thank you for anyone who donates $50 or more. Visit PayPal. To date the organization has collected $15,000.
A T-shirt with the Donald Robertson print that was created as a thank you for those who donated to the cause. (Courtesy/Lauren Larkin)Staten Island Advance