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More than 1,100 donations have poured in from across Long Island and beyond to support an East End school district administrator and physical education teacher recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Bridgehampton schools Athlectic Director Mike DeRosa’s stage four glioblastoma diagnosis came shortly after he and his his wife Dyana, a first-grade special education teacher in Remsenburg-Speonk schools, welcomed their baby daughter, Mia.
The “Help the DeRosa Family Fight Brain Cancer” fundraiser on behalf of the DeRosas has topped $161,000 and continues to climb. It was created by Bridgehampton Superintendent Mary T. Kelly and Remsenburg-Speonk Superintendent Denise Lindsay-Sullivan, and is being managed by the Remsenburg-Speonk PTO, a nonprofit.
[Mike and Dyana] have dedicated their lives to shaping and supporting young minds,” the campaign states. “Now, they need our support.”
Mike DeRosa, affectionately nicknamed “Bubba,” recently underwent surgery to remove the tumor. The GoFundMe states that he faces a long, difficult journey toward recovery, which includes intensive in-patient rehabilitation and ongoing treatments.
The goal of the fundraiser, its organizer said, is to help the DeRosas focus on Mike DeRosa’s healing.
“What a great guy and an amazing family! No one fights alone! We are all behind you Bubba! You got this buddy!!” DeRosa’s colleague Bobbie Sue Tuthill posted on Facebook.
Mike DeRosa’s cousin Lars Clemensen expressed his appreciation to the community.
“The Bridgehampton, Southampton, Hampton Bays, East Quogue and Remsenberg-Speonk communities are rallying together to see Mike to recovery and resolve,” he posted on Facebook. “Whether it’s your treasure or your heart you’re sending to him, thank you.”
Top photo: Mike and Dyana DeRosa with their daughter Mia (GoFundMe).
