'Fighters Make Miracles'

The Oceanside Knights of Columbus, 2985 Kenneth Place, is holding a benefit on March 7 to help raise money for Colleen Grasing. Grasing, 24, suffered from a severe brain aneurysm last year and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

The name of the benefit, “Fighters Make Miracles,” is a reference to Grasing’s own struggle, and her success at defying the odds and making tremendous strides toward her own recovery. Grasing unexpectedly suffered from a ruptured brain aneurysm while she was driving to her grandfather's funeral in October of last year. She was stabilized at South Nassau Communities Hospital and transferred to Winthrop Hospital in serious condition, and her prognosis was not good. Doctors told Grasing's family that her entire body had suffered a severe shock, and they were not sure she would survive. It would be two weeks before surgeons could operate due to her physical condition, but Grasing persevered, and is now on the road to recovery.

The Knights of Columbus is holding the benefit, organized by Grasing's friends and family, to help raise money to offset the cost of her medical bills as she undergoes rehabilitation. Organizers Michael Leake and Christine Ahern, who have both worked with Grasing at Sal's Pizzeria in Rockville Center, noted that her parents Kathy and Kevin have always been among the first to help their neighbors in need. “Had this happened to me, they would have been there in a second,” Ahern said.

Grasing's cousin, Marguerite Keller, expressed gratitude on behalf of her family. “We're so thankful and appreciative of all the support from the community and all of the prayers that have been said and continue to be said for Colleen,” she said.

The benefit will take place from 1 - 5 p.m. on March 7 at the Knights of Columbus in Oceanside. Tickets are $50, and include food, beer, wine, soda and entrance into a raffle to win a television. Additional raffle tickets for other prizes, including a trip, will be sold for $100 each at the event. T-shirts and bracelets with the "Fighters Make Miracles" logo will also be available.

For more information about the event or to buy tickets, call Christine Ahern at 672-8141 or Michael Leake at 860-8128. You can also visit www.colleengrasing.org.

If you would like to make a donation, you can make checks payable to the Colleen Grasing Foundation, PO Box 224, Oceanside, NY 11572.