ALBANY - In an endeavor that embodies the quintessential example of pay-it-forward, Albany's Heather Schwartz is asking for donations on behalf of her friend's son, Charlie, who has a severe problem with the bones in his head.
Charlie just so happens to be the grandson of a woman who helped Schwartz a few years back by raising funds for a medical need of Schwartz's own.
First and foremost, Charlie Purdy is in need of a cranial molding helmet to straighten out his unaligned skull bones before they set forever. That could cause many issues, including setbacks with sight, hearing and taste.
The condition the 6-month-old has is called Plagiocephaly, and he was fitted for his helmet on Friday. He will need to wear it 23 hours per day for two to three months - and the process will cost the family about $5,000, as its insurance company is considering the equipment cosmetic and will not cover the expense.
The Orfordville parents are Chris and Ashely Purdy, and Ashley's mother, Sandy Kamholz, of Freeport, is the woman who helped raise funds for Schwartz to travel to New York for a procedure.
"I was so excited to return the favor," said Schwartz, who established a Facebook page called "Help Baby Charlie" and set up a donation site at gofundme.com. If interested in donating, log onto the site and enter "53502," the Albany ZIP code, in order to see Charlie's information.
As of Friday morning, $1,715 has been raised, Schwartz reported. The very-first morning of the posting landed $935, she said.
"Ashley (Purdy) couldn't believe it - she was beyond shock," Schwartz said. "She said, "They raised all that, just for me?'"
The child is the first for the newlyweds.
"They initially talked about taking out a loan. They were stressed out," Schwartz said, "Now they have hope."
Charlie just so happens to be the grandson of a woman who helped Schwartz a few years back by raising funds for a medical need of Schwartz's own.
First and foremost, Charlie Purdy is in need of a cranial molding helmet to straighten out his unaligned skull bones before they set forever. That could cause many issues, including setbacks with sight, hearing and taste.
The condition the 6-month-old has is called Plagiocephaly, and he was fitted for his helmet on Friday. He will need to wear it 23 hours per day for two to three months - and the process will cost the family about $5,000, as its insurance company is considering the equipment cosmetic and will not cover the expense.
The Orfordville parents are Chris and Ashely Purdy, and Ashley's mother, Sandy Kamholz, of Freeport, is the woman who helped raise funds for Schwartz to travel to New York for a procedure.
"I was so excited to return the favor," said Schwartz, who established a Facebook page called "Help Baby Charlie" and set up a donation site at gofundme.com. If interested in donating, log onto the site and enter "53502," the Albany ZIP code, in order to see Charlie's information.
As of Friday morning, $1,715 has been raised, Schwartz reported. The very-first morning of the posting landed $935, she said.
"Ashley (Purdy) couldn't believe it - she was beyond shock," Schwartz said. "She said, "They raised all that, just for me?'"
The child is the first for the newlyweds.
"They initially talked about taking out a loan. They were stressed out," Schwartz said, "Now they have hope."