A Sidney business owner who will be having his left eye removed today to treat a rare form of cancer said that community donations to help meet his medical bills are appreciated.
Jason Corey, 25, a co-owner of the one-year-old Two Doughboys Pizzeria in Sidney, said that he will have to wait until after the operation at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary to see what the prognosis will be.
When he went to the eye doctor complaining about loss of vision about a year ago, removal of his eye was "definitely not what I was expecting."
The Masonville native, who lives in Sidney and has relatives in Masonville and Deposit, said about $14,000 has been collected so far.
Because the business was new, he did not have health insurance, Glenn Skinner, his stepfather, said. He estimates the current costs to be about $20,000.
"It makes me feel pretty good" that so much has been donated, Corey said. Collection jars are at many Sidney businesses, and a "Corey Benefit" account has been set up at Sidney Federal Credit Union, he said.
With future medical costs unknown, the continued support was needed, said Corey.
Anyone wishing to contribute can send donations made out to the Corey Fund to Sidney Federal Credit Union, 42 Union Street, Sidney, N.Y. 13838.
