Former NYPD officer Gregory Fink, a Long Island man who has dedicated his life to youth sports both here and abroad, is suddenly facing a medical nightmare far from home in Cartagena, Colombia.
“The first thing that they found was a blood clot,” his girlfriend, Laura Burgos, told The Post.
It was later revealed that Fink suffered a severe aneurysm in his right vertebral artery — a critical pathway that supplies blood to the brain and spine — while abroad and doing sports charity work.
The former NYPD soccer team member regularly travels to countries such as Colombia and Costa Rica, as well as the Bahamas, to provide equipment and opportunities to underprivileged communities.
He also runs the Hamptons-based youth soccer program South Fork United Foundation.
“This has been a passion for him since he was little,” said Burgos, who has a daughter with Fink. “He always wants to help the community. He always seems happy around kids. He’s a great man.”
Fink underwent successful “miracle” surgery in late March, but many complications must be addressed.
Now, many people whose lives Fink touched are paying it forward by helping cover his extensive medical costs.
“I don’t know 100 percent if the insurance is going to cover everything,” Burgos said.
The new goal is getting him back stateside as soon and as safely as possible.
A GoFundMe for the coach has already raised more than $27,000 toward its $50,000 goal, with the majority of contributors being Long Island parents whose kids grew close to Fink.
“The way they are supporting us, it’s unbelievable,” said Burgos, who flew to Colombia. “I am so grateful.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
