Boston bombing survivor needs donations to pay his medical bills

Jeff Bauman, Jr., who helped authorities in their search for the suspects connected to Monday's bombing at the Boston Marathon, has taken to social media to enlist help in paying his medical bills.

Think Progress reported on Friday that a donation page has been set up to pay the $300,000 in medical bills for Jeff Bauman, Jr., who was photographed being taken away from the explosion site by wheelchair after losing his legs in the bombing, an image that was widely circulated online.

"As most of you know, Jeff was severely affected by the tragedy that had taken place at the Patriots Day Boston Marathon this year," said Brooke Gibbs, who created the page on Tuesday. "Throughout this difficult time we want to help in every which way we possibly can to get Bauman back on track as soon as possible."

Bauman is among 1.8 percent of Massachusetts residents who is not enrolled in the state's health care exchange.

As of Friday evening, donors had contributed $250,348 toward Bauman's medical expenses. His uncle, Steve Chamberland, told the Boston Globe he would cover the cost of buying prosthetic legs for Bauman.

Bauman is also credited with helping investigators in the manhunt for the men believed to be responsible for the attack, telling authorities a man wearing a cap, sunglasses and a black jacket over a hooded sweatshirt looked at him before dropping a bag at his feet two-and-a-half minute before the blast.

One of the suspects, 26-year-old Tamerlan Tsarnaev, died after exchanging gunfire with authorities Thursday night. The other, 19-year-old Dzhokar Tsarnaev was taken into custody Friday after a standoff.

[Image via Jeff Bauman Jr. support page on Facebook]