Mike DiPiano's big heart beats even finer on the holidays
North Jersey.com | MIKE LAMBERTI
Photo: Mike DiPiano (Santa) and his âelvesâ pose for a photo at last yearâs Christmas Party.
He's as imposing as they come, a hard-nosed, somewhat gruff-voiced man who if he snarled at you, the first impulse would be to run the other way.
But underneath that exterior lies as compassionate a man as they come, a family guy through-and-through, a man who met his mortality at a relatively young age and not only prevailed, but devotes his daily endeavors to making sure others can appreciate the gift of life as much as he.
Welcome to Mike DiPiano's world, and this Friday afternoon, 'Big D' will be in familiar territory when he dons a big red suit, white beard and black boots at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston to ensure some special youngsters will have a memorable Christmas holiday.
On the heals of the awful events in Newtown, Ct. last Friday, this Christmas party will tug at the heartstrings of Big D and his 'elves' a little more than usual. But the message will remain the same and the children Mike DiPiano will honor with presents on Friday share Mike's gift of life message for organ transplantation.
Many of you probably know DiPiano's story. At age 44, his life was drawing to a premature conclusion with kidney failure. A devout Christian, he had received the last rites.
Read more
Photo: Mike DiPiano (Santa) and his âelvesâ pose for a photo at last yearâs Christmas Party.
He's as imposing as they come, a hard-nosed, somewhat gruff-voiced man who if he snarled at you, the first impulse would be to run the other way.
But underneath that exterior lies as compassionate a man as they come, a family guy through-and-through, a man who met his mortality at a relatively young age and not only prevailed, but devotes his daily endeavors to making sure others can appreciate the gift of life as much as he.
Welcome to Mike DiPiano's world, and this Friday afternoon, 'Big D' will be in familiar territory when he dons a big red suit, white beard and black boots at St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston to ensure some special youngsters will have a memorable Christmas holiday.
On the heals of the awful events in Newtown, Ct. last Friday, this Christmas party will tug at the heartstrings of Big D and his 'elves' a little more than usual. But the message will remain the same and the children Mike DiPiano will honor with presents on Friday share Mike's gift of life message for organ transplantation.
Many of you probably know DiPiano's story. At age 44, his life was drawing to a premature conclusion with kidney failure. A devout Christian, he had received the last rites.
Read more
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