hiron
Cooper is a 16-year-old steel pan musician from Trinidad who recently won
the much-coveted National Solo Pan Competition. An exceedingly likable
young woman as well as a tremendously talented musician, Shiron has a very
promising future ahead of her – that is, after she overcomes one crucial
hurdle. She has a rare and fatal liver disease called primary sclerosing
cholangitis (PSC) and needs a liver transplant.
Shiron was diagnosed with PSC at John Hopkins University Medical
Center in April 2002. At the time, doctors estimated that she had 9
months to live, based on the fact that her liver was 90% scarred. This
scarring prevents bile from draining properly so it accumulates in the
liver, causing damage to cells and eventually liver failure.
Although Shiron’s health has continued fairly stable - thanks, as she
sees it, to her faith in God and her prayers – she needs this lifesaving
transplant that will cost over $1 million.
As
a means of raising money for Shiron Cooper’s medical bills, on July 8th
well-wishers held a benefit concert at Café Omar, in the Flatbush
section of Brooklyn. It was staged by Trinidadian Trevon Roberts of
Shell Cartel Promotions, who said that when the family spokesperson,
Bill Farrington, approached him and told him about Shiron’s plight, "I
was deeply interested in trying to do something for her because life
isn’t about always just doing for yourself. It seemed like a very good
cause. I got involved immediately."
Roberts soon brought on board the support of the Brooklyn Brewery,
the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce, the Trinidad and Tobago
Consulate Office, St. Vincent’s Medical Center of New York, BWIA
Airlines, WWRL 1600, JW Records and Putumayo Records.
Council
Member Kendall Stewart also lent his support by providing the venue,
Café Omar, for the event. Asked why he had done so, Stewart said that he
feels he must be the voice of the less fortunate and that he must act on
his principles and also set an example of generosity on such occasions.
"We must do the things we expect other people to do," he continued.
"Hopefully, we will be a part of saving this very gifted young woman’s
life."
Also contributing their talents were many terrific performers,
including gospel rapper Brigitte Williams, the soca band Request, as
well as Ras Jahlock, Ras Sherman and Mr. Hans, who are on tour in the US
from Belize. Participating, too, was the fabulous soukous guitarist,
Diblo Dibala, who was in New York from the Congo with his full band.
Additional music was provided by DJ’s Stylz Movement, Infinity Sounds,
Back to Basics, Fabulous One and Foreign.
The
crowd was treated to several numbers performed by Shiron Cooper,
herself, including a stirring rendition of her award winning piece, Leon
Foster Thomas’ Call of the Amerindians. She was then joined on
stage by one of her idols, Dane Gulston, a renowned pan player from her
hometown of Cascade, Port-of-Spain in Trinidad. He is very proud of
Shiron and considers her a part of his extended band. "I just want to
say God bless her, and make sure she’s always under His wing," Gulston
said.
Shiron was moved by the fact that people had wanted to hold this
benefit concert for her and stated, "I really appreciate all that has
been done and is being done for me by the wonderful, caring, loving,
kind-hearted people of New York. I am thankful for their great support
and help through this time in my life."
The money raised at the concert was handed directly to Shiron and her
father, Trevor Cooper, who were then able to take it straight back with
them to Trinidad.
And this isn’t the end of it, either. In staging this event, Trevon
Roberts has thrown down the gauntlet to his peers. He is challenging
others of his generation to get involved in giving back to their
community. As a result, Gary Kissoondath, of Live Wire Entertainment,
has pledged to contribute $1 to Shiron’s medical fund for every ticket
sold to his show, Pandemonium, on Saturday, July 17th,
at KC’s Caribbean Hideaway. Hopefully this will set the pace for others
to follow.
Further contributions can be made by check to The Shiron Cooper
Medical Fund Account #4000053, mailed to the Scotia Bank in
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.
Shiron Cooper would appreciate your prayers as well. If you wish to
send her a word of encouragement, she can be contacted by email at
cshiron@hotmail.com or by post to 3A Strathclyde Avenue, Cascade,
Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, West Indies.
To obtain further information here in New York City, please contact
family spokesperson, Bill Farrington, at (917) 803-3368.
