Forest Hills Cancer Patient Owes $3,700 In Rent, Fundraiser Begins

FOREST HILLS, QUEENS — A good samaritan from Forest Hills started a fundraiser over the weekend to help a 65-year-old cancer patient from the neighborhood who owes more than $3,000 in rent.

Eddie Friedman, from Forest Hills, is struggling to pay $3,700, over four months in rent, with his disability funds, which have mostly gone toward his medical expenses.

Friedman developed cancer in his leg in May 2018, and after a period of remission, he faced a cancer recurrence last year.

“I spent all my savings in the last four years,” Friedman told Patch. “My income, my social disability, is $870. It wasn’t possible to live.”

Michael Perlman, a longtime Forest Hills resident, kickstarted a fundraiser on Saturday to help Friedman cover the costs of his expenses and established a goal of $3,700.

“Please place yourself in his shoes,” reads the fundraiser description. “As a community and beyond, we can help a very kind resident, friend, and individual.”

Perlman has jumpstarted several community efforts in the past, including the revival of T-Bone Diner and cleanups for Forest Hills businesses.

As of Monday afternoon, the fundraiser had garnered over $1,470.