Sopranos Stars Help Sclerosis Child  3/30/06

The Sopranos actors Tony Sirico and Joseph Gannascoli headlined a benefit function in New York City last night (29MAR06) to raise money for a two-year-old boy suffering from tuberous sclerosis.

The on-screen mobsters, who play Paulie Walnuts and Vito Spatafore respectively, were touched by young Joseph Hopkins's fight against the life-long illness which causes tumors to form on his organs.

Sirico and Gannascoli donated two posters autographed by the cast of the TV series for an auction, as well as a script of the original pilot.

When pictures of young Joseph and his two brothers, Christopher and Jonathon, were flashed on a screen, Sirico told the crowd, "Look at those three little scungilli (whelks). How can you say 'no' to those faces?'

"It's a chance to help a little kid and his family."