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Support Surges For Lambertville Father, Furniture Store Owner After Series Of Strokes At 59

Support is on the rise for a 59-year-old Lambertville father and furniture store founder who suffered a series of strokes.

Support is on the rise for a 59-year-old Lambertville father and furniture store owner who suffered a series of strokes.

Support is on the rise for a 59-year-old Lambertville father and furniture store owner who suffered a series of strokes.

Photo Credit: GoFundMe Screengrab

Anthony Lukas, who founded N. Union Street’s of Iron & Oak with Mary Beth Barenborg, may be considered a “tall dude in a cowboy hat” — but he’s also a “force of nature.”

At least, that’s how his many compassionate friends and supporters describe him in a GoFundMe created in early March after his heartbreaking medical episode.

“Whether it’s strapping a sofa to his back and climbing a ladder to deliver it to a second story room, literally saving a man’s life, helping friends during Ida or fostering and then adopting three great kids — Anthony is a force of nature,” reads the campaign.

Each one of the strokes grew worse, leaving Lukas without his ability to speak or use the right side of his body, according to the fundraiser.

Meanwhile, Lukas’ necessary treatment plan is dependent on consistent physical therapy sessions that the family’s health insurance plan won’t cover.

“He needs to relearn how to swallow, hold his body upright, use the right side of his body and regain the ability to communicate,” the campaign says. “But the family insurance covers only the first seven days in the hospital and none of the physical therapy during his expected 90 + day stay at a recovery facility.”

Nearly $44,000 had been raised on the campaign as of Wednesday, March 29.

Meanwhile, of Iron & Oak hosted its first ever open house in Lukas’ support on Sunday, March 26:

A nearby deli, The Borscht Belt, also shared its support for Lukas’ recovery and says he had “a great hand” in its design:

“A very close friend of ours at The Borscht Belt, Anthony Lukas, recently had a stroke,” reads the post. "He is a close friend of Co-owners Mike Dalewitz and Nick Liberato and loved by his community."

“Anthony has a chance to be a STROKE SURVIVOR and THRIVER but WE NEED YOUR HELP!”

Click here to view/donate to ‘Medical Expenses for Anthony Lukas’ on GoFundMe.

“Help us help Anthony,” reads the campaign.

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