Essex County Teen To Throw 1st Pitch At Mets Game, Fundraiser

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — When Essex County teen Danielle Sass throws the first pitch at Citi Field on June 15, she’ll be hurling a strike against chronic childhood illnesses.

During the New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals game on June 15, Sass, a Livingston resident, will represent the enCourage Kids Foundation during its 15th annual “enCourage Kids Night at Citi Field” event. The nonprofit holds programs that benefit kids facing a variety of chronic illnesses… not all of them visible.

Last year, more than 800 people - including 380 enCourage Kids, their families and Mr. Met - helped to raise more than $100,000 for the organization’s programs, according to a news release.

According to enCourage Kids, Sass, 17, is affected by a rare neurological condition known as Hemimegalencephaly (HME), in which one side of the brain is abnormally larger than the other. The condition has forced Sass to endure more than a dozen surgeries and almost 200 doctors’ visits, according to the nonprofit.

But through it all, her first thoughts were often about helping others, such as the time that she collected toys for kids at the hospital for her Bat Mitzvah.

“[Danielle’s] life is just about making other people smile and laugh,” said her father, Hal.

Learn more about Sass and enCourage Kids here.

Send local news tips, photos and press releases to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Main Photo: Dylan Coulter and Geometry Global