RED BANK: COMMUNITY RALLIES FOR FAMILY - Red Bank Green
RED BANK: Teen's online fundraiser quickly surpasses amount needed to pay for life-saving surgery on his family's pet bulldog.
As previously reported by redbankgreen, Bella, a 15-month-old bulldog, became ill earlier this week, and was diagnosed with a life-threatening blockage in her stomach and intestines.
Facing a $5,000 bill for surgery that his parents could not afford, Cesar, a recent graduate of Red Bank Middle School, took an aunt’s advice and launched a GoFundMe campaign to drum up financial support.
“I thought we’d only get, like, $200,” the 14-year-old rising freshman at Red Bank Regional High said Thursday.
But within 24 hours, the drive brought in contributions of $5,760, just as Bella was about to be released following surgery at Red Bank Veterinary Hospital in Tinton Falls. His parents had to borrow money in the interim, said Cesar.
Among the 93 pledges was one for $1,000 from 11th-district state Senator Vin Gopal, w