CHICAGO (WLS) — It's been a tough year.
Roger Naglewski was released from the hospital last week. It was one of several hospital stays this year due to complications from pancreatitis.
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“It was hard, because it was about nine months, most of which I spent in the hospital,” Naglewski said.
During the pandemic, friends estimate Naglewski has helped thousands of people find COVID-19 vaccines with Chicago Vaccine Hunters, a group he founded.
In March 2021, Naglewski was interviewed on Localish.
At the time, Nagloski teamed up with then-15-year-old Benjamin Kagan and his group, the Chicago Vaccine Angels, and they connected people with vaccination appointments.
“Benjamin reached out to me very early on and said, ‘You know, I just helped my grandparents get their vaccinations. This is something I think I can do for the site,’” Naglewski said. “It wasn’t just me helping people. It wasn’t just Ben helping people. It was everyone helping each other, and it just became a strong sense of love.”
Now, three years later, Kagan, his friends and family are rallying around the vaccine hunter.
“Roger helped so many people during a difficult time for our country,” said Benjamin Kagan. “When I learned of his case, I immediately wanted to give back and do whatever I could to help. Roger deserves to have our community rally behind him and support him — the way he helped so many during the pandemic. I hope you’ll consider joining our efforts to support this special person who brought life-saving safety and comfort to so many during the height of the pandemic, by contributing to this GoFundMe campaign.”
They have set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for his medical expenses.
“It makes me happy to know that all these people care,” Naglewski said.
Naglewski was unable to work this year. He worked as a recruiter and was self-employed.
“I miss my job. I miss being downtown, you know, just having a purpose,” Naglewski said.
Naglewski said he has adapted to isolation during the pandemic because he has been busy, but the past few months have been a challenge.
What helps, he says, is reading comments from friends and strangers who wish him well, whether they are able to donate or not.
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