Community rallies around Long Island man airlifted home from Ithaca

A Center Moriches man who suffered a serious medical emergency while on a camping trip nearly eight hours from home is back on the Island, but still faces a long and uncertain road to recovery.

John Sapienza, known to friends and family simply as “Sap,” suffered a grand mal seizure in early August while visiting a waterfall and swimming hole near Ithaca, according to a GoFundMe campaign launched by friend Brian Zahn.

Sapienza suffered another seizure after arriving at the hospital and was placed under heavy sedation and on a ventilator. The days that followed brought complications and frightening moments for his family, with his partner, Nicole, sister Dori and mother, Patti, remaining by his side.

Nearly two weeks after the medical emergency, Sapienza had begun waking up and responding to simple commands and questions.

Then came an important step toward getting him closer to home.

Sapienza was medically airlifted back to Long Island early Friday, where he is continuing to receive hospital care. He had to be sedated again for the flight, which set his progress back by several days, according to those close to him. Still, as of Monday, Sapienza was doing better.

He remains far from out of the woods, however, with an extended stay at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset and a lengthy recovery still ahead.

The medical emergency has also brought significant expenses for Sapienza and Nicole, including the cost of the medevac that brought him back to Long Island. But friends and the wider community stepped in.

A GoFundMe launched Aug. 13 had raised more than $49,000 toward a $60,000 goal as of Monday afternoon, with nearly 400 people contributing.

Zahn described Sapienza as someone who is typically the first to help someone else in need.

“To know Sap is to love Sap,” he wrote in the fundraiser. “He is the first one to offer the shirt off his back for a friend, family member or stranger.”

The campaign is raising money to help cover the medical transport and expenses associated with what is expected to be a long recovery.

The fundraiser has drawn support from friends, family, fellow music fans and members of the craft beer and hot sauce communities.

Those interested in learning more or contributing can visit the GoFundMe campaign.

— photo courtesy of friends, family/Go Fund Me