Magician Raises Money for Diabetes

David Corsaro is a dad, and a professional magician. On Friday, he will bring his skills to a local farmers market as part of a fundraiser against juvenile diabetes.

The West Caldwell resident will be at the Caldwell Farmers’ Market on Friday, August 24, from noon to 6 p.m., performing magic as well as raising awareness about the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). 

Corsaro and his wife, Lauren, have been actively involved with JDRF since their two-year-old Matthew was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was only 16 months old.

Last year, the Corsaros raised more than $14,000 and had over 40 walkers on team “Miracle for Matthew” at the JDRF Walk to Cure Diabetes in Jersey City. They’ll return to Liberty State Park on Oct. 20, and will be collecting donations for the team at Friday’s farmers market.

Corsaro said the diagnosis was particularly devastating for his wife, who as a pediatric nurse is far too familiar with the disease.

“My wife and I noticed that Matthew was displaying increased thirst, unusually wet diapers and periods of a really intense need to snack,” Corsaro recalled. “My wife Lauren purchased some glucose strips and tested Matthew at home. When she saw the high level of glucose in his body, she reacted to the result. She gasped, cursed and cried. She called her mother and cried telling her the news.”

Matthew was taken to the emergency room where he received the official diagnosis. Corsaro called it the “worst day of our lives.” 

Since that day, Matthew's parents have needed to monitor his blood sugar, meausre his food and manage his insulin 24/7. Corsaro said his son has been nothing but brave.

"He does not cry when he gets his finger pricked to check his blood sugar. He does not cry when we have to change his infusion site—a needle that is in Matthew 24 hours a day, connected to an insulin pump that has since replaced the five to six injections of insulin that Matthew was receiving the first few months after his diagnosis.”

Corsaro performs in two different off-Broadway magic shows in New York as well as hundreds of private events around the country. Magic fans can also catch him at Calandra’s in Fairfield, or around the Caldwells at the  or charitable events like last year's .

Stop by the Caldwell Farmers’ Market Friday to contribute to the serious cause of finding a cure for diabetes. While you are there, enjoy Corsaro's funny and lighthearted brand of magic.