NEW YORK, NY — January 5, 2013 — It’s the Battle for Bird Fundraiser.  Please join us on Sunday, January 20th from 4pm – 8pm  for a very special benefit for Alison Bird at Mulcahy’s of Wantagh, NY. We invite you, your colleagues and your coworkers to come support us in raising money toward the fight for Alison Bird’s life.

DJ Michael Fusco and DJ Chopps provide music and serve as master of ceremonies for this very special evening to raise funds for Alison Bird, special educator, trained triathlete and conqueror of the Escape from Alcatraz. Alison has touched thousands of lives and is now fighting for her own!

In October of 2011, Alison Bird, current assistant Principal at North Massapequa’s Plainedge High School, former Principal at Nassau BOCES and teacher of the blind and visually impaired, took a fall while tossing a newspaper on a neighbor’s stoop.  Always the fighter – a woman who has dedicated her life to health and fitness, is a trained Iron-woman, an active member of the triathlon community, and even conquered the infamous Escape from Alcatraz race – she got up from the fall, brushed aside the pain and went off to work to take on the day as usual.  Little did she know, this day would be no usual day.  Her fall that October morning broke 3 bones in her neck, leaving one pressed against her spinal cord and the others pierced into her brain stem.  The doctors diagnosed Alison with Basilar Invagination, a rare condition in which the second vertebrae in the neck (called the dens or odontoid process) is dislodged, putting extreme pressure on the brain stem and spinal cord.  During the fall Alison’s vertebrae pierced her brainstem. Alison has already endured two grueling and costly orthopedic surgeries, both of which were deemed failures.  Over the last year her condition has deteriorated significantly, and the vertebrae that once threatened her brain stem have now begun to migrate into her brain. The compression on her spinal cord is causing severe neurological symptoms, among them, extreme pain and a complete loss of mobility on her right side.  The bone invading her brain stem is now blocking her airway is causing her respiratory distress and trouble swallowing. Her condition is now considered life-threatening.

Alison, the indestructible Iron-woman, the Assistant Principal and educator who has fought to help countless children in our community realize and achieve their dreams, and herself a local graduate of Syosset High School class of 1987, is now facing the challenge of her life – and we are asking for your help.   Alison’s only option is to undergo two potentially lifesaving neurosurgeries at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore on December 18th under the care of one of only three doctors in the United States qualified to perform under such risky circumstances.  The surgeries are not covered by insurance, and the mounting medical bills have only further worsened Alison’s situation.  While support from her family and friends has gone above and beyond we have only begun to make a dent on the costs.

We are reaching out to you, valued members of Alison’s community, to join us in the “Battle for Bird”.  We will be holding a benefit for Alison at Mulcahy’s of Wantagh on Sunday, January 20th from 4pm – 8pm and invite you, your colleagues and your coworkers to come support us in raising money toward the fight for Alison Bird’s life.  Should you not be able to attend the event, we welcome your support in the way of a monetary donation, gift certificates, products or services help ensure the success of this important evening.  Any and all donations 100% tax deductible and go directly to the Battle for Bird Organization. To make a donation you can call 516.581.5385 or by mail at 114 Arthur Street Garden City NY 11767 or www.giveforward.com/battleforbird.

On behalf of Alison and her family, friends, students and colleagues, we thank you in advance for your support.  Any help you can give is deeply appreciated.  Your support will help Alison’s life, and for that, we could not be any more grateful.

Michael Fusco is a house and open format DJ out of New York City. He recently headlined NYE 2013 at Santos Party House and has made NYC appearances at Lilium, Tenjune, Ajna Bar, Greenhouse, Avenue, Veranda RdV, Cappello, RSVP Brunch, 49 Grove and Midtown 1015 at Sutton Place. He headlined Joonbug’s ESPACE NYC, Halloween 2012, the Summer Kick-Off Party at DROM nightclub in the East Village and has held weekly and monthly residencies at venues in Long Island, Connecticut and Baltimore.

Michael Fusco is currently booking solo and with his partner, NYC’s DJ Chopps. He is represented by The KMZ Group, an artist management agency based in New York City. For booking inquiries, please contact:

The KMZ Group
Matthew@kmzgroup.com