Cooper hears of liver donor

By Dan Hiner

dhiner@vindy.com

After months of health issues, Canfield athletic director Greg Cooper has received good news.

Recently, Cooper was diagnosed with nonalcoholic end stage fatty liver disease-cirrhosis and was in need of a liver transplant. On Saturday, he was surprised to hear the Cleveland Clinic found a liver donor.

Cooper’s daughter Allyson was told of the donor 30 minutes prior to the Taste of the Valley for Greg Cooper, a fund-raiser hosted by family and friends at St. Michael’s Church.

“I didn’t know anything about it until they told me,” Cooper said. “I had to stand up at that point and express my gratitude to everybody.”

More than 40 people called the Cleveland Clinic asking to be considered as a live donor after hearing of Cooper’s condition.

Cooper said he’s grateful to the support he’s received from around the area — including Canfield residents, local athletic directors and local school officials.

Cooper said some “i’s need dotted and t’s crossed” before he can receive the transplant, but he believes the surgery could take place in mid-September.

The Canfield School District conducted a search for an assistant principal who can also become Cooper’s understudy.

Michael Cochran was eventually hired as an assistant principal and will replace Cooper while he is recovering. Cochran was the athletic director at Lakeside and the brother of Girard athletic director Nick Cochran.

While Cooper was relieved to hear the news, he was still thinking of his family.

Cooper’s glad he’ll have more time to spend with his wife, Dayna, and is looking forward to their newest grandchild, who’s expected to be born in early 2019.

“It’s a great endeavour because, with grandchildren, you can spoil them rotten and not have to worry about them,” Cooper said.