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By Lori Saxena |
Kyra Comiskey of Babylon, owner of Islip’s Harp Hound and Ronkonkoma’s Flanagan’s Pub, delivered a $13,000 check to Good Samaritan Hospital & Pediatric Unit this past Tuesday, money raised through the love of soccer.
That brings the total raised to $30,000.
Over the summer, Comiskey recruited local bars to compete in a second-annual fundraising tournament to support the ongoing pediatric efforts at Good Sam in West Islip.
And it’s all deeply personal for Comiskey, whose daughter, Hallíe, was a pediatric patient there.
Kyra’s connection to the cause began when Hallíe was born.
She was born perfectly healthy. But Kyra had undergone kidney surgery following a difficult pregnancy, and couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.
Krya insisted on Hallíe seeing a doctor, who reassured her everything was normal. But right after getting home from that appointment, Hallíe started having a severe seizure. The newborn was then taken to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore, where she had 26 seizures in 24 hours.
She was later diagnosed with viral meningitis.
“We thought we were going to lose her,” Kyra recalled. “But thanks to the incredible medical team we had, she survived.”
At the time, Kyra was unaware that South Shore didn’t have a pediatric emergency room, and afterward, spent many nights at the Good Sam pediatric unit, the only pediatric emergency room near her.
“There aren’t many pediatric emergency rooms in our area that we would be able to get to in time, but Good Samaritan was there,” she said.
The experience left a lasting impression on her, fueling her determination to give back to the hospital that saved her daughter’s life.
Comiskey, originally from Ireland, tapped into her roots to create the fundraiser.
“I’m Irish,” he said. “I know soccer and I know bars.”
After reaching out to other business owners, the idea for a soccer tournament where local bars could compete against each other quickly gained traction, drawing teams from across Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Last year’s tournament raised nearly $17,000, and Comiskey was eager to keep the momentum going this year.
The event, which took place at the Westbrook Sports Complex in Great River, brought together teams of bartenders, servers, and regulars from various establishments.
“It was amazing to see everyone come together for such a good cause,” Comiskey said. “They knew our story, they knew how important it was. It was more than just a tournament, it was our community coming together.”
In addition to the soccer tournament, Comiskey and her family have made it a tradition to give back during the holiday season. Hallíe, now a healthy and active 5-year-old, helps her mother collect toys to donate to the hospital’s pediatric unit.
“She understands, better than anyone, the importance of giving back and being grateful for what she has,” Comiskey said.
From donating blood, to supporting families of other pediatric patients, Comiskey and she and the entire family is deeply committed to giving back in any way they can.
“If you don’t have health, you have nothing, and if your children don’t have their health, you have even less than nothing. So, this is our way of saying thank you,” Comiskey said. “We owe them everything.”
Lori Saxena is a reporter with The SBU Media Group, part of Stony Brook University’s School of Communication and Journalism’s Working Newsroom program for students and local media.
Top (L-R): Falyn , Kyra, Kace and Keith Comiskey, with Hallíe, now 5, front and center. (courtesy photos)
