Veteran comics artist Bob Wiacek launched a GoFundMe page to help him with expenses related to a diagnosis of glaucoma.
Wiacek wrote on a GoFundMe titled "Bob Wiacek Glaucoma Relief Fund": "I just recently went to a ophthalmologist, and was told I have glaucoma and high fluid pressure in my eyes. As far as medication, I am using eye drops and will be receiving therapy regularly. I also am checking with regular doctors to see if I have any issues with my cardiovascular health or diabetes. I will be updating information to you as I receive it."
He continued, "My vision is inhibiting me from getting regular work so the money will be used to pay medical bills, current taxes and back taxes so I don't lose my house."
Wiacek's career as a professional comics artist includes work for various DC titles including Batman, Legion of Super-Heroes, Legends of the Dark Knight, The Brave and the Bold, Orion, The Flash, Green Lantern and Justice League of America. He followed that with a long career at Marvel Comics, including stints on Man-Thing, Uncanny X-Men, Marvel's Star Wars adaptation, X-Factor, She-Hulk, Power Pack and Iron Man, and he also has worked for Valiant and for Dark Horse.
He said he is not currently able to finish commissions because his eyesight is too poor, so much so that his son typed the message for him. "As of now, I can only sign books and do sketch cards," Wiacek said. He said he would contact any client expecting a commission from him and apologized for being unable to deliver.
Since the September launch of the campaign, donations have topped $23,500, far above the $15,000 goal.
Wiacek previously held a GoFundMe page in 2015 after he suffered an injury to his arm that made drawing impossible until he recovered. He said at the time that he was a week behind on work. "Naturally it will heal but that is going to take time and I'm seriously getting behind in my bills and taxes coming due at the end of that month," Wiacek said. In December 2020, former WildStorm editor Scott Dunbier auctioned off an unpublished Alan Moore script for a Gen13 annual to benefit Wiacek. Winning bidder Brian K. Vaughan, writer of Ex Machina and Y: The Last Man, made scans of the script available via a private link to people who donated to that campaign.
Source: GoFundMe