Tullytown residents rally around neighbor battling cancer

TULLYTOWN (FOX 29) - "I never expected anything like this," said 82-year old George Newsome. He's overcome with emotion and gratitude.

"I always thank them. They're so kind," he said.

He's talking about a campaign started by his neighbor Cathy McLaughlin to help him through the fight of his life.

"I'm losing weight so fast, "he said.

Doctors diagnosed George with prostate cancer seven years ago, but he says last fall they told him he had about a year or two to left to live. He's been all alone since his wife of 37 years, Wilda, past away.

"It was very difficult if anyone would understand that just being together all them years 24-7. So when that happened I did the best I could here like living alone," said George.

But Cathy recently noticed that her neighbor was struggling. After paying bills with his social security check he was left with nearly nothing.

"He writes down all his bills and he is counting pennies and I don't want him worrying. I want him to be able to buy what he needs."

Cathy put together a plan to help her struggling neighbor and set up a donation page on Facebook along with a GoFund Me.

"I know people really weary of GoFund Me's because of scams but I'll do anything for George," she said.

So far neighbors and friends have donated over $4,000.

"He needs a medical bed. He needs a medical chair. He needs fresh food delivered," she said.

George says he's also grateful that Cathy calls and stops in to check on him every day.

"Oh my God almighty. An angel. I met a lot of people in my life. I'll tell you but I never met anyone like her," he said.

"Everybody has to feel like a somebody and George wasn't feeling like a somebody. So myself and our community stepped up to let him know you're never going to be alone again."