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Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

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MsSissy
xoxoxo

Member since 3/07

39159 total posts

Name:

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Brittany Ozarowski

I remember her and a friend outside the mall looking for donation to help pay for her Chemo treatments.
My DH gave her $20. I remember getting into our truck and saying I hope she's not scamming everyone.

Sure enough she was:

NEW YORK (WABC) -- A 21-year-old Long Island woman is under arrest for lying about having cancer in order to raise money to buy drugs.

The Suffolk County District Attorney's office says Brittany Ozarowski has claimed to have multiple forms of cancer and was raising money in order to pay for her treatment at Sloan-Kettering.

In reality, the DA's office said she is a heroin addict who was using that money to buy drugs. She is not a patient at the hospital.

Ozarowski would put fundraising cans in stores and even beg for money in person. Several Miller Place businesses even held fundraisers for her.

She was also using a website to raise money.

Ozarowski was arrested on April 1st in front of the Stop and Shop on Montauk Highway in Sayville after a joint investigation by the Suffolk County Police and District Attorney's Office. A donor became suspicious and contacted the authorities.

Ozarowski was soliciting shoppers as they left the store when she was arrested.

She's being held at the Suffolk County jail on $5,000 bail. She is scheduled to be arraigned on a grand jury indictment on Wednesday. She will have a court appointed attorney.

Ozarowski has four open narcotics cases. She only weighs 108 pounds.

In a picture on her website she's seen sitting in a wheelchair because, according to the DA's office, she broke her femur in a car accident where she was charged with driving with ability impaired by drugs.

Ozarowski has been living in a motel for the last month after her grandmother moved to Florida. She had been living with her in Selden.

Link to story

External Image

And a few local businesses held fundraisers for her.
What a piece of sh!t she is!

Posted 4/10/13 7:38 AM
 
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Kitten1929
LIF Adult

Member since 1/13

6040 total posts

Name:

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

I go to the MP Stop and Shop but never saw her. What a junkie.

Posted 4/10/13 7:58 AM
 

xoxomindyoxox
LIF Zygote

Member since 8/11

20 total posts

Name:
melinda

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

That's just sad my husband had cancer and died at 29 my youngest daughter was only 6 mths.. U don't play when it comes to cancer.. ??????????

Posted 4/10/13 7:59 AM
 

MorningCuppaCoffee
Tired!

Member since 12/07

16353 total posts

Name:
Allison

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

What a shame.

It never ceases to amaze me what people will do when they are that desperate for drugs.

Posted 4/10/13 8:04 AM
 

Hope2009
Thankful

Member since 1/09

4429 total posts

Name:
A

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by Kitten1929

I go to the MP Stop and Shop but never saw her. What a junkie.



we must live right by each other. This my Stop and Shop, usually here at least twice a week or so but I've never seen her.

Posted 4/10/13 8:39 AM
 

sunnyflies
LIF Adult

Member since 9/09

1757 total posts

Name:

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Chemo runs about $35,000. A few donations into a can and a couple of fundraisers wouldn't pay for it. People need to ask pointed questions when solicited for such unusual causes as it should raise some flags. Medicaid would have paid for her care if she really had no money for chemo.

Cancer treatment includes a lot more than chemo. I had a mamogram, a biopsy, an MRI, a CT scan, several nuclear tests, surgery, chemo and radiation, plus countless doctor appointments and smaller tests along the way. My bill must be way over $100,000 by now. Cans on deli counters might help buy lunch for a few days, but not cancer treatments.

Message edited 4/10/2013 8:58:23 AM.

Posted 4/10/13 8:56 AM
 

Jenn1621
<3

Member since 5/05

1728 total posts

Name:

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

I used to see a man saying his daughter was sick with cancer at the mall...is this the same girl I wonder?

Posted 4/10/13 8:57 AM
 

Eunyboo
<3

Member since 7/12

4376 total posts

Name:
E

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Like seriously.. what is wrong with people?! Chat Icon

Posted 4/10/13 9:00 AM
 

ThePinkGoose
In Your Hands

Member since 8/08

4706 total posts

Name:
Nunya

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

What a jerk.

Posted 4/10/13 9:08 AM
 

MaZz
* Lovin my baby girl!!! *

Member since 2/09

6243 total posts

Name:
Gina

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Disgusting... Sad to say but this is why I don't give money to anyone looking for a handout... You just never know

Posted 4/10/13 9:14 AM
 

Domino
Always My Miracle

Member since 9/05

9922 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Chat Icon 21 years old, an addict, living alone in a motel. My human side feels very bad for her.Chat Icon

Posted 4/10/13 9:22 AM
 

EatingMyVeggies

Member since 1/12

6667 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by Domino

Chat Icon 21 years old, an addict, living alone in a motel. My human side feels very bad for her.Chat Icon



Agree. Addiction makes you ruthless. You will lie, steal, cheat and sell your soul to the devil to get a fix. No one is off limits... be it a stranger or your own grandmother.

I don't like that she scammed people of course. I know someone who gave her money and I told them that it was a scam. I have this ability to see that the person is gone and is replaced with the addiction. Doesn't make it right what she did - but it helps me in understanding it. I have a family member who is tied into drugs. All he does is take, take, take and lie. I know it's not him. It's the addiction. I pray he gets arrested and locked up.. If only to help save him.

Her getting caught and locked up may just end up saving her life. Hopefully she can turn her life around one day.

Message edited 4/10/2013 9:29:50 AM.

Posted 4/10/13 9:27 AM
 

meloyellow
LIF Adult

Member since 3/13

1843 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

this is disgusting.

I just lost my 30 yr old friend to cancer on thursday. I have posted a few times to help them win a contest (before we knew she had cancer I was trying to help win them their dream wedding) they didn't win the contest but had an amazing wedding anyway. On their honeymoon they found out she had cancer. I think I may have posted here to share their website and ask for help. It makes me angry that people probably would just pass it by thinking it could be a scam bc of people like this

Posted 4/10/13 9:36 AM
 

EatingMyVeggies

Member since 1/12

6667 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by meloyellow

this is disgusting.

I just lost my 30 yr old friend to cancer on thursday. I have posted a few times to help them win a contest (before we knew she had cancer I was trying to help win them their dream wedding) they didn't win the contest but had an amazing wedding anyway. On their honeymoon they found out she had cancer. I think I may have posted here to share their website and ask for help. It makes me angry that people probably would just pass it by thinking it could be a scam bc of people like this



I'm so sorry for your loss and your friend.

I do think though- for anyone's future reference - there is some funding site that makes you prove you do indeed need the help. It might be gofundme.com. Not sure.

Posted 4/10/13 9:41 AM
 

MrsC614
My little angel is here <3

Member since 7/09

2851 total posts

Name:
Gina

Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

She looks very familiar. What a shame. Stuff like this is just unacceptable and sad.

Posted 4/10/13 9:54 AM
 

starr
little whale on the way

Member since 6/10

1288 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by Domino

Chat Icon 21 years old, an addict, living alone in a motel. My human side feels very bad for her.Chat Icon



ITA
very sad for her that she got to a place to resort to this. additction definitely takes away humanity.
also she looks so skinny, as pp I hope her getting arrested will save her life and she can do some good in the future to make up for this horrible thing she did to generous people.

Posted 4/10/13 9:57 AM
 

meloyellow
LIF Adult

Member since 3/13

1843 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

Posted by meloyellow

this is disgusting.

I just lost my 30 yr old friend to cancer on thursday. I have posted a few times to help them win a contest (before we knew she had cancer I was trying to help win them their dream wedding) they didn't win the contest but had an amazing wedding anyway. On their honeymoon they found out she had cancer. I think I may have posted here to share their website and ask for help. It makes me angry that people probably would just pass it by thinking it could be a scam bc of people like this



I'm so sorry for your loss and your friend.

I do think though- for anyone's future reference - there is some funding site that makes you prove you do indeed need the help. It might be gofundme.com. Not sure.



Message edited 4/10/2013 4:35:38 PM.

Posted 4/10/13 9:59 AM
 

nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.

Member since 7/05

57538 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

I've had too many friends with cancer. I'm sure because of her, other people with cancer & in need financial support for meals, money for co-pays, gas for back & forth trips to the hospital, parking fees, etc.

Charities that pay 6 figures to their CEOs & perks for the Board members vs. people claiming illnesses or financial situations that are complete BS. Outside of friends IRL, at this point, I'd need to see a financial statement & medical certification. Disgusting!

Posted 4/10/13 10:05 AM
 

Onemoretime
LIF Adult

Member since 9/12

1077 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

She looks like a junkie. Dh and I have a rule , we never give anyone cash on the street. We donate to the charities we choose, there are too many scam artists and drug users out there.

Posted 4/10/13 10:31 AM
 

rojerono
Happiest.

Member since 8/06

13803 total posts

Name:
Jeannie

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

OMG! I gave her money that same day at that Stop and Shop!! How upsetting.

Her flyer actually had her 'dad's' cell number on it. I still have the flyer. And there was a heavyset older man that I thought was with her.

I am not too upset about donating though.. I hope she is able to get some help.

Message edited 4/10/2013 10:58:41 AM.

Posted 4/10/13 10:57 AM
 

tray831
Dee-licious!

Member since 3/06

5355 total posts

Name:
His Baby

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?



What's even crazier is about a year ago; her "father" was at the Stop and Shop I go to; giving out the same exact story as listed in the article. And a phone number to reach her. I felt so guilty that I did not give anything. But something told me not to.
It just seemed too much; the whole entire story; but it still got me.

I just don't get it. I truly, truly don't.

It's disgusting to say the least.

Posted 4/10/13 11:35 AM
 

kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!

Member since 8/07

12475 total posts

Name:
Keri

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

I just read this on the Long Island Press.
Disgusting.

Posted 4/10/13 11:46 AM
 

kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!

Member since 8/07

12475 total posts

Name:
Keri

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by meloyellow

Posted by EatingMyVeggies

Posted by meloyellow

this is disgusting.

I just lost my 30 yr old friend to cancer on thursday. I have posted a few times to help them win a contest (before we knew she had cancer I was trying to help win them their dream wedding) they didn't win the contest but had an amazing wedding anyway. On their honeymoon they found out she had cancer. I think I may have posted here to share their website and ask for help. It makes me angry that people probably would just pass it by thinking it could be a scam bc of people like this



I'm so sorry for your loss and your friend.

I do think though- for anyone's future reference - there is some funding site that makes you prove you do indeed need the help. It might be gofundme.com. Not sure.



Thank you. I was going to post about it last night to give an update bc I know I had posted here about helping them win their wedding and then also trying to win them a trip back to hawaii when she gets better. Unfortunately she never got to make that trip...but everyone here was very supportive. I think they are on that site...oh...nm they are on giveforward not gofundme. Her wife has pledged that website and future donations will now be turned into a foundation. There are some nice T-shirts and bracelets, so it's not just donations.

We had a birthday benefit for her 30th birthday last month. The theme was wellness. There were drummers and chanting and yoga and massage. I'm glad she was surrounded by so many of her friends and family for her last birthday.

Anyway...please keep her in mind an know that if you ever hear of ORANGE FOR ABBY that it is legit. she was a real person, an amazing person, a special ed teacher and yoga lover, taken way too soon. you can read about her journey as written by her wife on their site.



Oh no! Abby passed away? We had a mutual friend.

So sad.... Chat Icon

Posted 4/10/13 11:48 AM
 

METLove2008
LIF Adolescent

Member since 5/08

541 total posts

Name:
Ellie

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

I was out in Port Jeff one night and a girl came into the bar we were at with a can to collect money. She was telling everyone she had brain cancer. I only gave her $5 and my BF gave her $2 (it was the only cash we had on us). I told my BF it was probably a scam because how can a few $ help with all those medical bills? It didn't make sense to me... but I still felt bad enough to give her something. A lot of people were giving her $20's. I wonder if it's the same girl.

Posted 4/10/13 11:48 AM
 

meloyellow
LIF Adult

Member since 3/13

1843 total posts

Name:

Re: Does anyone remember this girl looking for donations at Smithaven mall?

Posted by kahlua716



Oh no! Abby passed away? We had a mutual friend.

So sad.... Chat Icon



yes Chat Icon so sorry you had to read it here. absolutely heartbreaking. So many people have said that their story has touched their lives and I know that's what she would have wanted.

Message edited 4/10/2013 12:27:16 PM.

Posted 4/10/13 12:26 PM
 
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