The Massapequa Community will gather at Anchor Park on August 30th, 2020 at 12 PM, where the Town of Oyster Bay will dedicate the basketball courts to the late Tyler Abizeid. Tyler was a Massapequa local who enjoyed playing basketball regularly.
One day, Tyler went to play basketball with his friends after school, getting a ride from his mother. Minutes after being dropped off by his mother, he texted her saying that he wasn’t feeling well and that his head hurt.
Tyler’s mom was able to get back to the park within minutes after the phone call. However, by the time she got their Tyler already started losing function in his arms and legs. His pupils were extremely dilated as well. In response to the situation, his mother quickly called 911.
By the time they got to the hospital, there was already blood on Tyler’s brain. The blood continued to spread on his brain over the course of the next several hours until it eventually clotted. Tyler had an arteriovenous malformation in the brain (AVM) and was declared brain dead by doctors. At that point, they informed the family that there was officially nothing else that they could do.
Tyler’s family sat in the hospital for days praying that he would be O.K. In the hospital, they were introduced to a nonprofit organization called LiveOnNY. LiveOnNY is a nonprofit organization committed to helping New York live on through organ and tissue donation. In her heart, Tyler’s mother knew that he would want to save other people’s lives if he had the opportunity to. Therefore, his family gave him a chance to do so through the LiveOnNy program. Tyler was able to save the lives of many, making him a true hero.
Tyler truly inspired his family and friends with his giving attitude, which is why they aim to continue Tyler’s journey in life, going out and helping people, just as Tyler always did. “My dream when I am older is to make a lot of money as a cop and help a lot of people.”- Tyler Abizeid once said.
Tyler will forever live on through his family, friends, and the gift of life. Now, Tyler will be recognized forever within Massapequa, as Town of Oyster Bay Officials will be revamping and renaming the basketball courts at Anchor Park in Tyler’s name.
What is the Tyler James Abizeid Foundation?
The mission of the Tyler James Abizeid Foundation is to fulfill Tyler’s passions and journey in life. He was always giving nature and would help anyone in need without a second thought. As a result, the Tyler James Abizeid Foundation is set out to help in as many ways as possible.
The focus of the foundation is directed towards Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) research, organ donations, and scholarship programs. If you would like to contribute, you can make a donation to the Tyler James Abizeid Foundation here.
What Is Arteriovenous Malformation?
An arteriovenous malformation can occur anywhere in the human body but mostly occurs in the brain or spine. The cause of AVMs is not clear but they are rarely passed down among family members.
An arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is an abnormal tangle of blood vessels connecting arteries and veins.
The role of arteries in the human body is to take oxygen-rich blood from the heart and transport it to the brain. Veins then carry the oxygen-depleted blood back to the lungs and heart
The result of the tangle of blood vessels caused by AVM impacts the connection to arteries and veins which disrupts normal blood flow and oxygen circulation. When AVM disrupts this process tissues do not get enough oxygen and cause the arteries and veins to rupture. If the location of the AVM is in the brain and it ruptures, bleeding on the brain can occur.
Brain AVMs occur in less than 1% of the population with no known cause. Most people with AVM do not experience any symptoms. However, if symptoms occur, they are likely to be headaches and dizziness. More severe symptoms may include seizures and sensations such as numbness and tinglings.
Please join us at Anchor Park on August 30th at 12 PM to raise awareness about this disease!