Help John’s Recovery & Fight for Justice After Brutal Attack

Chrissy Costill is organizing this fundraiser on behalf of John Berardi.

Donation protected

Hi, my name is Chrissy Costill, and I’m fundraising for my fiancé, John Berardi, who was the victim of a horrific, unprovoked attack that has changed our lives forever.

On November 23rd, 2024, John was walking home in Federal Hill, Baltimore, carrying a pizza—just blocks from home—when he was ambushed by three juveniles armed with metal poles and broomsticks. He handed over his dinner without hesitation, hoping to walk away unharmed. Instead, one of them swung a metal pole directly into his face, fracturing his nose, splitting open his forehead, and causing permanent vision loss in his right eye.

Since that night, our lives have been consumed by recovery, hospital stays, and an uphill battle for justice.

John spent the night of the attack in the hospital, and complications forced him back on Christmas Day, robbing him of time with his family.
He recently endured his first of multiple major surgeries, requiring him to lie face down for 24 hours a day, 16 days straight to try and repair his retina.
Despite these efforts, improvement is not guaranteed, and his vision will never fully return to what it was.
He loves reading, traveling, and staying active—but since the assault, he has limited his ability to engage in activities he loves.
The juveniles who did this to him remain free, shielded by laws that protect violent offenders over victims.

Why We Need Your Help

John is one of the kindest, most generous people I know. He has always given selflessly to friends, family, and neighbors. Beyond his physical recovery, John has been fighting for justice—not just for himself, but for others who could be victims of the same failures in our system.

Instead of staying silent, John has been advocating for change, meeting with lawmakers, speaking with reporters, engaging in community meetings, and demanding reforms to ensure that violent offenders face real consequences and that innocent people are protected. He is turning his personal tragedy into a mission to prevent this from happening to someone else.

But while he fights for reform, we are also facing immense medical expenses and the financial strain of his long recovery. John has undergone extensive surgeries, countless doctor visits, and faces more procedures, vision therapy, and ongoing care.

How Your Donation Will Help

Medical expenses (surgeries, specialists, durable medical equipment, hospital trips, specialized eye drops, ongoing appointments, therapy)
Ongoing vision care & rehabilitation
Lost wages & financial relief during his extended recovery

Please Share & Support

If you’re able to donate, we are deeply grateful for any amount. If you can’t contribute financially, please share this fundraiser to help us reach as many people as possible.

John didn’t deserve this. No one does. But together, we can make sure he gets the care he needs and support him as he fights for justice—not just for himself, but for everyone.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Chrissy Costill