To Our Friends,

Our dear friend, Bill Wellock, was in a traumatic, life-altering accident in July that left him paralyzed from the waist down. A tree fell on him while he was riding his bike, trying to get to shelter as a fast-moving storm approached. Along with his spinal cord injury, he sustained sixteen fractured ribs and a fractured sternum; he is among the “5 percent” that his cardiac surgeon stated survives repair of a dissected aorta. Bill will have life-long medical needs and is trying to regain strength through rehabilitation therapy.
Bill, a Philadelphia native, has been a long-time resident of Wyomissing, a respected employee at Carpenter Technology, an active member of Sacred Heart parish, an alumnus of Cardinal O’Hara High School, The Catholic University of America and Villanova University. He, Ann, and their three sons all share a love of the outdoors and a sense of commitment to participate in their community and school activities.
One thing that has helped the Wellock family during the past months has been the support they have received from their community, friends, family, co-workers, and so many others. Thank you for reaching out to the Wellocks to show your support! It is greatly appreciated.
Many of you have asked how you can help. Bill is determined to return to a productive work life. This will require major adjustments in light of his physical limitations and medical complications. Extensive rehab services, modifications to his home and transportation accommodations will be needed, all of which are extremely expensive and will have to be paid out-of-pocket.
To assist Bill and Ann with these expenses, a fundraising campaign in Bill’s honor has been established with HelpHOPELive (formerly NTAF), a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for nearly 30 years. In 2000, they expanded their mission to include those who have sustained a catastrophic injury. All contributions are tax deductible, are held by HelpHOPELive in the Mid-Atlantic Spinal Cord Injury Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for Bill’s injury-related expenses only. To make a donation:Sincerely,
Friends of Bill Wellock Committee
Walter & Kate Banta Ken & Paula Christian
Denny & Judy Direnzo Andy & Jane Farella
John & Ellen Feeney Leo & Kelly Fontana
Jim & Cathy Gallagher Mike & Mary Anne Gaza
Mike Hajost Jerry & Christine Helinek
Scott & Angel Helm Ellen Horan
Jim & Jan Loomis Joe & Meg Lutes
Tim & Maureen McDonough Harry & Liz McMunigal
Mike & Kathy Napolitano Steve & Loni Pottieger
Pat & Meg Shields Mike & Tiffany Sergi
John & Patty Tschiderer Pete & Lizanne Zaleski