Hicksville GoFundMe Campaign Raises $155K for Heart Attack Victim

An online campaign dedicated to raising money for Robert Ehmer, who is on the road to recovery after suffering a massive heart attack in April, is just over the halfway mark to its goal to raise $300,000.

Greenvale’s Joanne Ehmer created a GoFundMe page titled Robert Ehmer Recovery Trust Fund. The page reads:

As many of you know, our friend Bob (Bobby) suffered a massive heart attack on Thursday, April 11, 2013. It is a day that has changed many lives forever. 

Late that night Teddy heard a loud noise downstairs and went running to find his dad on the floor. With such bravery, he called out to his mom and immediately to 911. Paramedics arrived at the scene and brought him to St. Francis Hospital.

Bob was in cardiac arrest and when he arrived at the Emergency Room, the doctors and staff fought for his life. After 45 minutes of CPR, Bob had a heartbeat. At that point, his body and brain had sustained an enormous amount of trauma. Once admitted, he went through a myriad of procedures to stabilize him. One of the procedures he underwent was called the Arctic Sun Temperature Management System, which induces therapeutic hypothermia. This was vital to help reduce the risk of the ischemic injury to the brain and the preservation of his organs, especially following a period of insufficient blood flow due to the cardiac arrest. Many different blood pressure medications were administered to maintain his blood pressure. Unfortunately, the side effects from these medications caused a lack of blood flow to his extremities, which resulted in a below the knee amputation. This was needed to save his life. 

After a few intense weeks and after several surgeries, Bob began to respond. When the time came to wean Bob off the respirator he showed his determination by doing it swiftly and efficiently. The doctors were amazed at all of his progress. They verbalized what we were all thinking, that this is a true miracle! Bob was fighting the fight of his life…..and he truly showed his resolve and strength by his improvements.

After almost 8 weeks in the hospital, Bob was transferred to an acute rehabilitation center in Westchester and more recently, to a sub-acute rehabilitation center on Long Island. Having sustained a traumatic brain injury, he works hard to regain his speech, motor skills and mobility. Bob continues to have a long road ahead. Joanne, Teddy and Maddy have been at his side throughout this entire journey. 

Bob is a selfless, altruistic, dependable and spiritual person who would go out of his way to help anyone in need. Whether it would be visiting friends in hospitals, lending support to those in need, doing charity work in poverty stricken countries, such as Africa, or even something as simple as picking up a friend stranded at work in the middle of the night, Bob did it all. He is a fun loving guy with a great sense of humor who enjoys riding his bike through Eisenhower Park, photography, traveling to Maine and spending time with family and friends. He is a full fledged Jimmy Buffett Parrothead who always has his shaker of salt and margarita mixer at the ready. Bob also enjoys being a prankster, playing games and just living life to the fullest.

This is a family that has always put others before themselves and has helped countless people in times of need. We would like to assist them in their time of need to ensure that they can once again have a happy future together as a family.

This fundraiser is honoring our dear friend, amazing husband, loving father, devoted son, and loyal brother. We are hoping to help the family with the ongoing costs associated with hospital expenses, rehabilitation bills, medications, prosthetics, necessary home modifications, and other day-to-day expenses they incur. Please help spread the word by sharing this with your friends and to donate what you can.

The outpouring of emotion and support already received is truly remarkable. Joanne and the entire Ehmer family continue to feel all of your love and prayers. Please keep them coming. It is what keeps them going.

If you would like to send a check, please make it payable to the “Robert Ehmer Recovery Trust Fund”

Joanne Ehmer
PO Box 402
Greenvale, NY 11548

A total of 181 people raised $154,692 in four months.