On January 20, a benefit reading was held for Dean Young, who is in critical need of a heart transplant, at the National Arts Club in New York City. Poets Matthea Harvey, Edward Hirsch, and Mary Karr, among others, gave readings of their favorite poems by Dean Young as well as their own works dedicated to him. All proceeds from the event went to Young’s transplant expenses.

News of Young’s heart condition surfaced last December when a letter from Tony Hoagland appeared on the National Foundation for Transplants’ website. In the letter it is explained that Young has suffered from idiopathic hypotropic cardiomyopathy for the last ten to fifteen years, and when the condition suddenly worsened last year his heart was only pumping 8% of normal volume.

“If you know Dean, you know that his non-anatomical heart… is great in scope, affectionate and loyal,” writes Hoagland. “His poetry is hilarious, heartbreaking, courageous, brilliant and already a part of the American canon. On behalf of Dean… I ask you to give all you can.”

If you’d like information on how you can help, please visit http://www.transplants.org/donate/deanyoung. Donations are still being accepted.