How To Help A Teen Recovering From Brain Surgery

EAST ISLIP, NY - The East Islip community is coming together to help a local teen who recently had surgery to remove a large mass from her brain.

Last month, 16-year-old Carli Fragala underwent the surgery to remove the mass at the Cohen’s Children’s Hospital in Queens.

A local resident, Maria Gusmano, started a fundraiser on GoFundMe last month to help Carli's parents Joe and Nancy Fragala.

"Please help Carli and her parents in facing the financial demands of this situation," she wrote on the page. "The Fragala family is much loved in our town and any help would be greatly appreciated!"

Earlier this month, Gusmano shared the following update from Carli's parents:

[Carli] is doing great! Still has bouts of being tired but she’s been in the pool and ran an errand or 2 with me. Starting the 3rd phase of steroid wean tomorrow (July 19th) morning! Tolerating wean so far! PT did an eval and a 2nd visit this week. Gave us the boot already!! She’s strong, moving about safely and balance continues to improve. I will be working on coordination and balance with her daily. OT eval on Monday (July 22). Carli seems to have a processing and visual perception disconnect - more of an OT need than PT! Radiation is going well. She has developed a slight sore throat, which was a possible side effect. Radiologist has prescribed meds for soothing and pain. The biggest upset this week has been hair loss. There is nothing that can be done to help that side effect.Positives - Senior pics were done today and she knows it will grow back !!

The page is looking to raise $150,000. As of Wednesday, the page has raise a total of $65,227.

Click here to read more or to donate.

In addition, Gold's Gym on 181 Freeman Avenue in Islip is planning a 90-minute spin class to benefit the Fragala family in September.

The event is scheduled for Monday, September 23 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per bike and 100 percent of the proceeds will go towards helping the family.

Participants must be 16 years old or older and do not have to be Gold's Gym members.

For more information or to register, click here.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner