Massapequa Ground Zero worker starts foundation to spread kindness

Michael Fay of Massapequa founded the With Purpose Foundation after a cancer diagnosis to encourage local acts of kindness and support research; the foundation has provided a beach wheelchair to a 14-year-old and helped collect more than 400 backpacks for a community center.

Michael Fay, 47, of Massapequa was diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and small lymphocytic lymphoma after a nurse noticed a swollen neck during a routine physical in December 2023. He said oncologists believe his illness may be linked to his work transporting food and water at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks. He launched the With Purpose Foundation to encourage acts of kindness in local communities and to raise awareness and funds for research and treatment. Key points: - Fay began the foundation after his diagnosis and said an initial GoFundMe for Weill Cornell Medicine raised nearly $50,000 in two weeks, surpassing a $20,000 goal. - The foundation has carried out dozens of acts, including buying a beach wheelchair for a nonambulatory 14-year-old and partnering with the Massapequa School District to collect more than 400 backpacks and school supplies for the YES Community Counseling Center. - Fay reported that his cancer levels are currently the lowest since he began treatment and described the foundation's work as uplifting. Summary: The foundation has focused on turning personal hardship into community-focused acts of kindness and fundraising that support local needs and medical research. Undetermined at this time.