While MetroStars defender Chris Corcoran is certainly locked in and focused on the club's season opener on Saturday, a more important, philanthropic cause is on his mind as well. For the past three months, Corcoran has helped organize a fundraiser to help 43-year old Stephen Capano, a Long Island native and resident who is legally blind and suffers from a serious heart condition. Because of his critical situation, Stephen is in need of a heart transplant and is currently on the waiting list for a new heart at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. His wife, Deirdre, is also blind, making transportation to his hospital visits extremely challenging.
Corcoran became aware of Stephen's story through one of his friends he
met at his alma mater, St. John's University. The rookie midfielder had
the pleasure of meeting Stephen this past winter and was truly inspired by
his perseverance.
"It is humbling to get to know Stephen because his attitude towards everything in life is so amazing," said Corcoran, a Marshfield, Mass. native. "He is not letting his condition interfere with anything he wants to do. He just knows it is an obstacle he has to overcome."
Stephen Capano has had 12 pacemakers (the average person has only 1 or 2 in their lifetime) and four open heart surgeries. Stephen's body cannot handle anymore trauma, as he has a great deal of scar tissue because of the extensive procedures performed on him over the years. Doctors at Columbia place him in an extremely high risk category. His next open heart surgery must be for a transplant, or Stephen will not survive.
Corcoran is part of a group that took it upon themselves to help Stephen and Deirdre. Since January, Corcoran and his team have tirelessly worked to organize a benefit that will help assist the Capano's with related medical costs for Stephen's treatment and impending transplant. They handled the logistics, booking of guests, securing of donations, promotion and everything in between.
The benefit will be held on Friday, April 1, from 7:30 p.m. until midnight at St. William the Abott School in Seaford, N.Y. A live band and a stand-up comedian will provide entertainment and there will be a raffle to win gift baskets, cosmetic bags, and Yankees/Red Sox tickets and many other great prizes. A $20 donation is asked of all attendees.
For more information, to buy tickets or to make a donation, please email Megan Guerriero, Committee Coordinator, at StephenCapanoSNT@aol.com.
"We are extremely excited about the event," said Corcoran. "It is a tremendous opportunity to benefit a great cause and we encourage everyone to help out the Capanos in any way they can."
