Oakland Soccer Player Remains In Hospital Months After Injury

OAKLAND, NJ — An Oakland boy remains hospitalized more than two months after suffering a serious injury during a soccer game.

Antonio Iapicca, a sophomore at Indian Hills High School, was playing in a game when he was kneed in the abdomen "at an extreme speed," said Bobby Calderon. Calderon created a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help Iapicca's family pay for his treatment and recovery.

Iapicca's pancreas was seriously injured, and he has been hospitalized at Hackensack University Medical Center. He has battled complications while there. First was a blood clot in his leg. Then he underwent an emergency procedure to alleviate a "massive" amount of fluid in his abdomen. Iapicca has also battled fevers and high heart rates, and cannot move much, Calderon said.

A stent was inserted to help drain a cyst that formed around Iapicca's pancreas, and he "immediately began to feel better," Calderon said.

"Doctors are confident Antonio's pancreas will fully heal, and he can return to normal," Calderon said.

More than $10,000 was donated through the GoFundMe campaign since it went live Oct. 11. The goal is to raise $20,000.

"This has been a long road so far, but Antonio keeps on fighting, and we all pray that he will soon be home before Thanksgiving," Calderon said. "On behalf of Antonio and his parents, Gerardo and Toni, we are blessed, appreciative and grateful for your continued prayers, and support."

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com