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Editor's note: Some of the pictures featured in this article may be graphic to some readers. BOSTON — A few victims from the bombings at the Boston Marathon have been receiving donations to help pay for their medical bills and their stories have gone viral.
Jeff Bauman, 27, is credited for helping to identify one of the two suspected bombers identified as Dzhokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev, according to the Daily Mail. Bauman lost both of his legs in one of the bomb blasts and a picture of him being rushed to the ambulance by volunteers has flooded the internet.
When Bauman regained consciousness in the Boston Medical Center after the bombing, he asked for a pen and paper and wrote: 'bag, saw the guy, looked right at me.' Police were able to get the description of the bomber from Bauman.
Although Bauman is covered by medical insurance from his employer, Costco, his treatment and rehabilitation are expected to be costly and lengthy.
Friends of Bauman set up an online funding campaign to help raise money to help cover the costs of Bauman's surgery and other medical expenses. They hoped to raise $1 million on the "Bucks for Bauman" site, and as of Monday afternoon the campaign had already received over $600,000 in donations.
Another couple also lost limbs in the bomb blasts.
Newly weds, Patrick, 30, and Jessica Kensky Downes, 32, each "sustained amputations below the left knee," according to an email sent to friends reported by the Associated Press.
The couple were married in August and were both avid runners. Patrick, a Boston native, had previously run the Boston Marathon.
The email said that Patrick had a successful surgery Wednesday and was out of the intensive care unit. Jessica was in surgery and may be in jeopardy of losing her remaining foot.
Friends of the Downes also set up a crowdfunding campaign to help pay for medical bills. As of Monday morning, the site had raised over $620,000.
Photos of a mother and daughter recovering together at the Boston Medical Center also went viral. The mother, Celeste Corcoran, lost both legs in the Boston Marathon bombing and her daughter Sydney was also gravely injured after her femoral artery ruptured, according to the Daily Mail.
Celeste and Sydney had both been near the finish line at the marathon waiting to see Celeste's sister, Carmen Acabbo finish the race when the bombs went off.
The Corcorans got to meet actor Bradley Cooper who visited several victims recovering at the hospital. They also have an online fundraising site that had raised over $560,000 as of Monday afternoon.
Another Boston native is also being heralded as a hero for being instrumental in the capture of Dzhokhar Tsarnaev.
David Henneberry was the man who alerted police that one of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects was hiding in his boat, according to ABC News. In the final standoff between Dzhokhar and police, Henneberry's boat was riddled with bullet holes.
"That boat's his baby," Henneberry's friend and neighbor George Pizzuto told ABC News. "He takes care of it like you wouldn't believe. And they told him it's all shot up. He's going to be heartbroken."
Hundreds of Americans have been sending money to Henneberry to help pay for the costs in fixing his boat, and to show appreciation for his help in aiding the police in the capture. An online account has also been set up that had received over $6,900 as of Monday evening.
*KSL.com
