Miami Zombie Attack Victim Shown Compassion as Ronald Poppo Donation Campaign Begins
Ronald Poppo, the victim of the Miami zombie attack, will reportedly survive the harrowing ordeal, however, reconstructive surgery, after two-thirds of his face was eaten off, will cost up to $200,000. The story has shocked America, and the public has been moved enough to start a campaign to raise the money for Poppo's health costs.
Giveforward.com is hosting the campaign, and states on its site: "For Ronald Poppo, the victim of the gruesome "zombie" attack in Miami. He has experienced savagery, let him now experience humanity."
Dade County has reportedly stated that it will look to cover some if not all of the medical expenses for Poppo, and it is thought that the donation campaign will contribute to any outstanding costs, or be put towards Poppo's future expenses and life.
The 65-year-old was homeless for nearly 30 years prior to Saturday's horrendous attack, which saw fellow homeless man, Rudy Eugene cannibalize Poppo.
"It can easily cost $100,000 to $200,000 for the surgeries that will get his face back," surgeon Dr. Michael Salzhauer of Bal Harbour Plastic Surgery in Miami, told Radar.
Poppo on Tuesday, still remained in critical condition and his current health status is yet to be known.
The fundraising campaign for Poppo had gathered approximately $500 dollars on May 30, its first day. On May 31, that amount had risen to $2750.
The goal is to raise at least $50,000. Donations can be given by visiting: https://www.giveforward.com/ronaldpopporecovery
Salzhauer told Radar that one of his eyes seem to be gone and that the most challenging part of the facial reconstruction will be his nose which had been completely bitten off.
Other experts have said Poppo faces a serious risk of infection from the germs off of Eugene's mouth which he used to tear Poppo's skin off. If Poppo does manage to pull through, he will have a permanently disfigured face and will take months of treatment to rebuild his facial features.
Footage of the attack shows that homeless man Poppo was sleeping under the highway when naked Eugene, 31, pounced on him and started to eat his face. He then stripped off Poppo's bottom clothes, straddled him and continued with his attack.
Although a cop came by and told him to stop, Eugene simply growled at him with pieces of flesh in his mouth and continued to savage Poppo.
It is believed that Rudy was high on bath salts leading to his psychotic behavior. But his girlfriend says he was a very sweet guy and believes there must have been a voodoo curse on him that drove him to commit such a heinous attack on another human being.
