Most of the time, this Web site writes only about Verona. But a family in Cedar Grove needs some help, so we’re expanding our community to help them.
Eleven years ago, Caroline and Joe Pluchino’s son Joey was in a car accident. He has been in a comatose state ever since. A new medical procedure holds the promise of awakening him, but it is very costly: The Pluchinos, who have family in Verona, need to raise $125,000 of the procedure’s $1 million cost, and they are holding a benefit on Wednesday, October 13 to do just that.
The event will be at the Brownstone House in Paterson, from 6:30 to 11 p.m. and the cost per person is $50. The entire proceeds of the evening will go to the family because Nicholas Markets, which runs the Cedar Grove Foodtown and is Caroline Pluchino’s employer, is paying all the food costs.
If you want to attend, call Sandra at Foodtown at 973-423-5506 or e-mail her at A href=”mailto:[email protected]”>[email protected]. You can also make a donation to IBRF here.
The procedure will be performed by Dr. Philip DeFina of the International Brain Research Foundation. It has so far awakened 43 patients, 84% from vegetative or minimally conscious states with no major negative side effects. Popular Science magazine had a story about it, which you can read here.
