The Bridget McElroy Memorial Fund
Donation protected
In July 2020, my friend, longtime colleague, multi-marathon runner, and picture of health, Bridget McElroy, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive cancer called Leiomyosarcoma. Despite this unfair turn of events, but to no surprise to anyone who knows her, Bridget faced the news with optimism, grace, strength, and courage, even deciding to dedicate her 34th birthday to a fundraiser for rare and aggressive cancers that raised around $15,000!
For anyone who does not know Bridget, she is the kindest, most compassionate, most hard-working, selfless, and generous human being. She gives her all to any endeavor that serves others, especially her job as an English as New Language (ENL) teacher. She has always done everything in her power to make every student more successful and refuses to give up on any student she teaches. In addition, Bridget has always been a fierce advocate for equity in schools, and has spent her teaching career tirelessly fighting for the most equitable conditions for all students.
Throughout the year that followed her diagnosis, Bridget has endured countless, grueling rounds of chemo, radiation, surgeries, and surgery complications, among other treatments and setbacks. This battle has caused her to be out on leave from her job as an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher in the NYC Department of Education. Even worse, she has had to pay herself during this time, as per the United Federation of Teachers' (UFT) contract, with days she accumulated from barely ever taking a day off in her eight-year career. Unfortunately, however, her days will soon run out, and she will be left without pay and health insurance while fighting a brutal form of cancer.
As many of us already know, Bridget has dedicated her life to lifting others up and she has always succeeded, with her cheerful disposition, general good-heartedness, and permanent smile. I hope with this GoFundMe, we can lift Bridget's spirits and give her the strength she needs right now by showing her the wonderful impact she has had on all of us and all of her students who miss her so much.
For anyone who does not know Bridget, she is the kindest, most compassionate, most hard-working, selfless, and generous human being. She gives her all to any endeavor that serves others, especially her job as an English as New Language (ENL) teacher. She has always done everything in her power to make every student more successful and refuses to give up on any student she teaches. In addition, Bridget has always been a fierce advocate for equity in schools, and has spent her teaching career tirelessly fighting for the most equitable conditions for all students.
Throughout the year that followed her diagnosis, Bridget has endured countless, grueling rounds of chemo, radiation, surgeries, and surgery complications, among other treatments and setbacks. This battle has caused her to be out on leave from her job as an English as a New Language (ENL) teacher in the NYC Department of Education. Even worse, she has had to pay herself during this time, as per the United Federation of Teachers' (UFT) contract, with days she accumulated from barely ever taking a day off in her eight-year career. Unfortunately, however, her days will soon run out, and she will be left without pay and health insurance while fighting a brutal form of cancer.
As many of us already know, Bridget has dedicated her life to lifting others up and she has always succeeded, with her cheerful disposition, general good-heartedness, and permanent smile. I hope with this GoFundMe, we can lift Bridget's spirits and give her the strength she needs right now by showing her the wonderful impact she has had on all of us and all of her students who miss her so much.
Organizer
Andrea DellOlio
Organizer
New York, NY