The harness racing community is showing its support for longtime New England trainer/driver Frank MacEachern, who is recovering from illness following an extended stay in hospital.

An online fundraiser has been established for MacEachern to help defray the costs of his recent illness that has not allowed him to return to work.

MacEachern had surgery for kidney cancer and his recovery did not go as expected. What was supposed to be one day in the hospital turned into eight days, including five in the ICU. He is now home recovering with numerous doctor appointments and follow ups scheduled with other specialists.

A GoFundMe page has been set up by MacEachern's granddaughter Krysta, who said, "Due to these unfortunate circumstances, my Papa is now unable to work. I would love for him to be able to focus on recovering and not stress about bills that he already has, as well as the bills yet to come. Everyone who has ever met my grandfather knows he is the strongest, most hardworking, light-up the room guy they know and I hope some of his fellow horsemen can help us get him through this rough patch in his life.”

A resident of Attleboro, Massachusetts, MacEachern raced at his home track Plainridge Park last year and was hoping to do the same in 2022. However, recent events leave that possibility up in the air.

As of Tuesday morning, just over half of the $10,000 (USD) fundraising goal has been achieved.

(With files from UNY-USHWA)