The community is raising money for a Grayslake firefighter who suffered numerous serious injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, during an on-duty accident.
Grayslake Fire Protection District Firefighter-Paramedic Josh Cokefair suffered the injuries in September.
A hose ruptured during firehose testing at the fire station, according to Cokefair’s sister, Ashley Young.
Cokefair suffered broken bones, a skull fracture, a ruptured ear drum and a traumatic brain injury.
He is still experiencing the side effects of the brain injury and will be traveling to Louisiana to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Young said.
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a specialized oxygen treatment that is well known for treating scuba and deep-sea divers affected by rapid changes in pressure, according to the FDA.
The oxygen therapy is also used to treat a variety of other health problems.
Cokefair and his fiancé, Kerry McWilliams, who is also a firefighter-paramedic, will be staying in New Orleans, Louisiana for two months during the treatment.
Young said the treatment is not covered by Cokefair’s insurance and is estimated to cost approximately $30,000.
The couple will also incur traveling and housing costs during the trip.
Young, who created a GoFundMe account to raise money, said Cokefair will create a fund with any leftover money to help other firefighters receive the same treatment.
“His goal is to raise awareness for these types of injuries that firefighters/paramedics may suffer on the job and allow for treatment to be more easily accessible for those who need it,” Young said.
The fundraiser has already raised nearly $30,000 in the past week from over 250 donors. It has a goal of raising $60,000.