Family To Hold Fundraiser Fo Injured Boxer
By MidWeek Staff
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Island boxing fans were stunned when former lightweight boxing champion Andy Ganigan was assaulted March 26 after leaving a Waipahu bar.
As a result, the 57-year-old, who won the North American Boxing Federation and the World Athletic Association lightweight championships, suffered brain damage and will require constant care.
“The doctors are pretty much saying that is as good as he is going to get,” said niece Michelle Shue.
“We’re happy he has his motor skills back, but there is a huge difference in who he is, what he remembers and how he thinks about things now.”
A Waipahu boy born and raised, Ganigan fought from 1972 to 1983 and finished with a 34-5 record and 30 knockouts. In 2000, the “Hawaiian Punch” was inducted into Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame. Three years later, Ring Magazine ranked the hard-throwing southpaw as the 97th greatest puncher in boxing history.
On May 19, police arrested a 21-year-old Waianae man on suspicion of second-degree assault after witnesses identified him. He has since been released pending investigation.
Shue said the family is dealing with the situation as best they can, but that Ganigan had only Medicaid coverage, which won’t cover all of his medical needs.
“Medicaid pays for his hospital stay when he goes to the emergency room and stuff like that, but the kind of care he needs - occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and he needs a 24-hour sitter with him - Medicaid does not cover those types of things.”
Ganigan was hospitalized in Honolulu but has been moved to Las Vegas, where he will be cared for by family members, including three of his children and three siblings.
The move also will help him get more medical care, as Honolulu lacks the necessary bed space for Medicaid patients.
To help offset some of the costs, the family is having a fundraiser from 4 to 9 p.m. June 8 at Ige’s Restaurant in Aiea. It will include food, entertainment and prizes, as well as screening a few films of the boxer’s fights.
Presale tickets cost $25; or pay $35 at the door. The family would prefer that guests call ahead to help with planning, but walk-ups are more than welcome.
To purchase a ticket or to make a donation, call Shue at 381-4000. A fund also has been set up in Ganigan’s name at the Mililani Bank of Hawaii.
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Mahalo for that article! I just have a few corrections. Fundraiser is at Ige’s Restaurant and 19th Puka in Aiea. Tickets are $25.00. Or pay $30. (not $35.) at the Door.
Donations can be made to “Friends for Andy Ganigan” at ANY Bank of Hawaii branch. It can also be mailed to “Friends for Andy Ganigan” P.O. Box 894469, Mililani, HI 96789.
Posted by hawtinhawaii on 06/05 at 10:09 PM