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Cory's Angels host spaghetti supper benefit

By Sarah M. Corigliano

Assistant Managing Editor



EAST LONGMEADOW While East Longmeadow resident Cory Garwacki waits to hear about a second organ transplant to help him better cope with his complicated medical issues, his friends and family are organizing a benefit event to help defray the costs of his many medical procedures.

Cory's Angels, the group of friends and community members who have organized the fund-raiser, have reached out to the community for support in their endeavor, and they have had a great response.

For the Oct. 20 event, which is a spaghetti supper at St. Michael's Parish Hall in East Longmeadow, event organizer Joan Mahan said the UNICO Club has volunteered to do all the cooking, and many local businesses have donated valuable prizes for the two raffles which will be conducted that night. In addition to the raffles, the evening will include a bake sale.

Just a few items which will be raffled off are:

a television, provided by Forastiere- Smith Funeral Home

a snow board, provided by Fat Trax/Competitive Edge

several gift certificates to local restaurants

a lamp from Remembrances

a Curves membership

a Century Fitness membership, and much more.

Mahan noted that PIP Printing, Matt Flanagan, and John and Sandy Maybury, among many others, have been generous in donating their services or funds to help get the event off the ground.

In a letter to community businesses, Cory's Angels explained his recent medical situation and the transplant he is waiting to hear about:

"Cory is 18 years old and has lived in East Longmeadow all of his life. He was born with very complicated medical issues that have forced him to undergo a lifetime of hospitalizations, invasive medical tests and procedures, dependency on intravenous support to stay alive, and 80 surgeries.

"In October 2002, after having three major abdominal surgeries within a three month period, Cory was evaluated at Pittsburgh Children's Hospital for a small bowel transplant ... five months later, in March 2003, Cory received his transplant. We all expected that this transplant would give Cory a new life ... free from IV dependency and the restrictions caused by his medical condition. "Unfortunately, Cory had several episodes of rejection and the function of his transplanted intestine has now failed, and is also causing damage to other organs in his body ... in 2005, Cory was reevaluated at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh and is again on the transplant list, this time for a stomach/ small bowel/ pancreas/ kidney.

"As Cory waits for his second transplant, he is again restricted to IV nutrition and fluid support 20-24 hours a day. His medical condition is fragile, yet his spirit and attitude are amazingly strong. Cory will fight to overcome whatever obstacles he is faced with so he can have a chance to live the life he has dreamed of."

Mahan explained that, if residents would like to contribute but are not able to make it to the spaghetti supper, they may donate directly to the Cory Garwacki Transplant Fund at Westfield Savings Bank, North Main Street, or they may purchase raffle tickets, as winners need not be present to claim their prizes.

Tickets are available at Reid's Variety, PIP Printing, or by calling Ellen at 789-1815 after 5 p.m. Interested individuals may also e-mail Cory's Angels at corysangels@aol.com.