The local community in recent weeks has been rallying to help a 9-year-old Massapequa girl in desperate need of a double lung transplant.

The Massapequa Fire Department's 6th Annual Charity Canoe Race, held Saturday, Aug. 12, raised approximately $7,000 for Christina Cowan, a student at East Lake Elementary School in Massapequa.

Christina's need for the life-saving transplant stems from her battle with Cystic Fibrosis, an inherited respiratory disease that affects mostly children. She was diagnosed with the disease when she was only 6-and-a-half months old. The child is currently at Duke University Hospital in North Carolina awaiting a donor. The money raised will help offset medical costs, as well as her family's travel and lodging expenses, according to Massapequa Fire Commissioner Tom McCarthy, an organizer of the canoe race.

Asked what impact he hopes the fund raiser will have on Christina and her family, McCarthy responded, "We're just hoping to ease their burden as far as their financial situation goes - that and keep her in our prayers."

The canoe race was held in the Great South Bay at John Burns Town Park in Massapequa. Over 88 teams of two entered the competition, and rented canoes for $100 apiece. Participants ranged from local fire department members, to the East Lake School PTA, to local business owners. The event also featured a raffle organized by the Massapequa Fire Department's Ladies Auxiliary, refreshments and souvenir T-shirts. Trophies were awarded to winners in several categories, including the Seaford Fire Department for First Place in the Men's Division and Copaigue Hook and Ladder Fire Department for First Place in the Women's Division. The North Massapequa Fire Department was rewarded with a trophy for contributing the most teams - a generous 16, while the Patchogue Fire Department was cited as the team from the farthest away.

The Massapequa Fire Department's Charity Canoe Race is held every summer on the second Saturday of August, rain or shine. Previous years' beneficiaries have included other seriously ill children from the local community.

Commissioner McCarthy noted that T-shirts from the Canoe Race are still available, and are being sold at $10 each in continuing efforts to raise funds for the Cowan family. To purchase a T-Shirt, one may call Maryann Hayden, Massapequa fire district secretary and president of the Massapequa Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary, at (516) 798-2648.

In addition to the fire department's efforts, the community has also been gearing up for a karate benefit for Christina Cowan set for the end of this month. The American Black Belt Academy of Massapequa Park will hold the karate event at John Burns Park on Aug. 28 at 7:30 p.m., on the front ball field. The fund raiser will consist of a karate demonstration by the school's students, a "punch-a-thon," and autograph signings by Sean Kenniff, of the hit show, Survivor.

Admission to the upcoming karate benefit is $5 per adult and $3 for children under 12. The fee to become a corporate sponsor is $100 and will include a sign in the outfield, admission for four, and acknowledgments at the event and in the program. Tickets can be purchased at the karate school and any contributions can be sent to the "Christina Cowan Fund" c/o The American Black Belt Academy at 4891 Merrick Road, Massapequa Park, NY 11762. Checks can be made payable to the Christina Cowan Fund. For additional information, one may call (516) 795-8531 or e-mail to Fourfists @AOL.com.