Donald Sutcliffe

On February 24, 2017, Donald Sutcliffe suffered a hemorrhagic stroke. At home after dinner with his wife, Lauren, and two young children, Donald began to complain of not feeling well and being very thirsty. Within a few minutes of trying to help him Lauren realized that he was becoming unable to respond and she called for emergency services. Upon reaching the hospital, doctor's determined that Donald's blood pressure had spiked high enough to cause substantial bleeding and pressure in his brain and a neurosurgeon was called in to perform a life-saving procedure. This went as well as could be expected and Donald is now in the SICU at Coney Island Hospital, under a medically induced coma for several weeks while the medical staff allow him to heal and begin the recovery process. It is unknown yet how long his recovery will be, and what it will entail. Doctors have told Lauren that this will at least be months long; it is uncertain which of his body and brain functions will return, and when.
Donald is a young man, 31 years old, with children ages 4 and 9 months. He and his family could never have been prepared for the toll that this tragedy is exacting. The unexpected medical costs will reach far beyond the single income budget that this young family was already living within. We are hoping to offset some of the financial worries Lauren will now face on top of raising her two young children and caring for her husband through recovery, rehabilitation and beyond. Anything that is donated through this fundraiser will help them with medical care, living expenses and childcare.
Donald has been a lifelong member of the Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn community, always happy to give back when friends, family and other community members have been in need. From his years coaching youth basketball, to bringing his grandparents on their weekly food-shopping trip, to giving his all for his wife and children, Donald's life has been one of service. We hope that we can help him and his family.