Football legend to help Millstone’s ‘Baby Jake’ BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP Staff Writer MILLSTONE — “Baby Jake” is getting a little help from a lot of new friends. Legendary Joe Klecko of the New York Jets will appear at Millstone Day from 2-4 p.m. on Sept. 18 to sign autographs and memorabilia to help raise funds for 2-year-old Millstone resident Jake Liao. Jake was born with a rare genetic skin disorder called epidermolysis bullosa (EB), which results in chronic and painful blistering on the inside and outside of his body. It is estimated that one out of every 50,000 babies is affected with some type of EB. Jake has the worst form of the disease, known as Hallopeau-Siemens disease, which is lifelong. Because of the EB, what would be a minor scrape for another child causes Jake’s skin to blister, which often leads to painful open sores. As a result of EB, the toddler has also lost the roof of his mouth and part of his tongue. He has numerous sores and a lot of severe scarring. Currently, there is no cure for EB, and the only treatment involves daily wound care and bandaging. Jake wears bandages from neck to toe every day of his life, at a cost of roughly $65,000 per year. Jake’s family is hopeful that research under way at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis-St. Paul, will very soon lead to a cure to this devastating — and sometimes fatal — illness. “They have so gallantly dealt with this devastating illness,” said Peter Grandich, of the Millstone-based Trinity Financial Sports & Entertainment Management Co. (Trinity FSEM). Klecko’s appearance, which will take place in Millstone at Frogbridge Day Camp on Yellow Meeting House Road, was arranged and made possible by Grandich and his company. Klecko is a member of its corporate advisory board. “I’m delighted Joe is willing to donate his time to appear at Millstone Day,” Grandich said. Grandich said Klecko’s appearance is the least Trinity FSEM could do to assist the Liao family. Klecko, who was selected by the New York Jets in the sixth round of the 1977 National Football League (NFL) draft, led the league’s rookies that season with eight sacks [In American football, sack means to tackle a quarterback behind the scrimmage line before he can make a pass.]. According to Jo Schloeder, spokesperson for Klecko’s appearance, Klecko was the first member of what became one of the most feared defensive front fours in the history of the NFL — the “New York Sack Exchange.” The three other members were Mark Gastineau, Marty Lyons and Abdul Salaam. Klecko was the first NFL player ever to be named to the Pro Bowl in three different positions, and he was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Klecko remains one of the most popular Jets of all time, Schloeder said. On Dec. 26, the Jets honored Klecko when the team retired his No. 73 jersey at halftime during a nationally televised game between the Jets and the New England Patriots. Klecko became the third New York Jet to have his number retired, joining Hall of Famers Joe Namath and Don Maynard, according to Schloeder. Trinity FSEM offers a variety of financial services and investments for individuals and small to mid-size businesses. Through the assistance of the co-founder and company consultant, former New York Giants running back Lee Rouson, Trinity FSEM offers specialized financial services for professional athletes and entertainers, according to Grandich. Trinity Financial has been accepted and certified by the NFL Players Association as a registered financial adviser. Grandich also said he is a member of the National Association of Christian Financial Consultants (NACFC), a group of investment professionals committed to investment and financial planning disciplines centered upon biblical principles. The company is located at 358 Sweetmans Lane in the township’s Perrineville section. For more information about Trinity Financial, call (732) 642-3992 or visit www.TrinityFSEM.com.