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ALS

ALS Diagnosis Rocks Rockville Centre Teacher And Family, Community Steps Up In Fundraiser ALS Diagnosis Rocks Rockville Centre Teacher And Family, Community Steps Up In Fundraiser
ALS Diagnosis Rocks Rockville Centre Teacher And Family, Community Steps Up In Fundraiser After a Long Island teacher and his family had their lives upended by his ALS diagnosis, the community has rallied around them in an online fundraiser. Mike Saglembeni, 51, worked for 27 years as a teacher, most recently at Riverside Elementary School in the Rockville Centre Public School District, his friends wrote in a GoFundMe launched Tuesday, April 7. “His impact on his students and community is immeasurable, and he is cherished by all who know him,” organizers Lisa Goodenough and Caryn Guggeri wrote in the fundraiser. “Mike is an awesome and very loving husband to Dana for the past 22…
Trapped In Cement: Potomac Woman With Worsening ALS Feels Like Her Body’s Been Poured In Stone Trapped In Cement: Potomac Woman With Worsening ALS Feels Like Her Body’s Been Poured In Stone
Trapped In Cement: Potomac Woman With Worsening ALS Feels Like Her Body’s Been Poured In Stone Brooke Eby isn't ready to call "code red" just yet as she continues her battle with ALS as she approaches the "later stages" of the disease. The Potomac, MD native and Lehigh University graduate, who has been sharing her "dying diary" on social media, had some strong words in her latest update as she described the toll ALS continues to take on her body. In her latest post, Eby says she hates that she's paralyzed, and explained that it feels like someone poured cement over one foot, then the other, then her entire body. "It feels like the actual me is stuck inside the cement, desperately tr…
'My Protector': Glastonbury Officer Says Goodbye After K9 Diagnosed With Incurable Illness 'My Protector': Glastonbury Officer Says Goodbye After K9 Diagnosed With Incurable Illness
'My Protector': Glastonbury Officer Says Goodbye After K9 Diagnosed With Incurable Illness A police officer in Connecticut said he is devastated after veterinarians diagnosed with K9 partner with an incurable disease, similar to ALS in humans.  Glastonbury Officer Neil Cavanaugh penned a heartfelt letter to his "partner, my shadow, protector," his police dog Soleil. He said the dog is one of the best parts of his day, and he plans to make Soleil's life as happy as possible for the animal's remaining time.  Cavanaugh said in his Facebook post that it could be anywhere from a few months to a year.  From Officer Cavanaugh: I always knew this day would …
Billionaire Mark Cuban Joins Thousands In Supporting New Providence Wrestler With ALS Billionaire Mark Cuban Joins Thousands In Supporting New Providence Wrestler With ALS
Billionaire Mark Cuban Joins Thousands In Supporting New Providence Wrestler With ALS In the ring, he's known as Jeff Cannonball, a hardcore daredevil who beats his opponents with his devastating sit-out tombstone piledriver. But outside the ring, Jeff  Guerriero is a husband to Sam and father to his toddler son, Milo. The New Providence resident, who also works as a dispatcher, announced his ALS diagnosis last month in a Facebook post. And the disease has been progressing rapidly, according to a fundraiser set up to support his family. "It absolutely sucks and I've been a bit of a wreck," Jeff wrote. "But my family and very few friends I've told have been ex…
The Ice Bucket Challenge Is Going Viral Again: Here's Why It's Back The Ice Bucket Challenge Is Going Viral Again: Here's Why It's Back
The Ice Bucket Challenge Is Going Viral Again: Here's Why It's Back More than a decade after the "ice bucket challenge" raised millions for ALS, the viral phenomenon has been rebooted with a new mission. The social media challenge from the mid-2010s was revived by the Mental Illness Needs Discussion (MIND) club at the University of South Carolina. MIND posted its first Instagram video of the challenge on Monday, March 31. The ice bucket challenge is now a fundraising effort for the mental health support group Active Minds. The movement has generated more than $195,000 in donations as of Monday, April 21. The group's founder, South Carolina junior…
Legendary MLB Voice Bob Uecker Dies At 90 Years Old: 'He Was A National Treasure' Legendary MLB Voice Bob Uecker Dies At 90 Years Old: 'He Was A National Treasure'
Legendary MLB Voice Bob Uecker Dies At 90 Years Old: 'He Was A National Treasure' The baseball world is mourning the death of Bob Uecker, an iconic broadcaster whose smooth voice helped him rise to Hollywood stardom. Uecker, 90, died at his home early in the morning on Thursday, Jan. 16, the Milwaukee Brewers and Major League Baseball said. The baseball hall-of-famer was the Brewers' primary broadcaster since 1971 and became synonymous with summer for generations of Milwaukee fans. Uecker's family said he quietly battled small cell lung cancer since early 2023. "Even in the face of this challenge, his enthusiasm for life was always present, never allowing his spiri…
These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now
These Greenwich Teens May Be The Future Of Filmmaking, But You Can Watch Their Work Now A group of talented teenagers will soon accomplish a feat that all filmmakers aspire to but few reach: having their films shown in one of the busiest movie theaters in the country.  Nine students from Sacred Heart Greenwich were chosen to screen their short films as part of the 12th annual All-American High School Film Festival. Their movies were picked from thousands of submissions to make it to the finals.  Their movies will be shown at AMC Empire 25 Theatre in Times Square on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19-20 as part of the prestigious festival.  Click here f…
'Selfless' Youth Football Coach In Central Jersey Diagnosed With ALS: Fundraiser 'Selfless' Youth Football Coach In Central Jersey Diagnosed With ALS: Fundraiser
'Selfless' Youth Football Coach In Central Jersey Diagnosed With ALS: Fundraiser A Monmouth County township is rallying to support a youth football coach who has been diagnosed with ALS, according to a fundraising campaign. A GoFundMe page was created for Scott Goldsberry to help him in his battle against the neurological disorder. He has been a commissioner and head coach of football for the Hazlet Youth Athletic League. More than $4,000 had been raised from at least 18 donations as of Tuesday, May 6. "If you know Scottie, he is the most uplifting person you will ever meet," wrote Kim Williams, the creator of the GoFundMe page. "His humor causes so much laughter that …
First Responders Rally For Hunterdon County Police Officer Diagnosed With ALS First Responders Rally For Hunterdon County Police Officer Diagnosed With ALS
First Responders Rally For Hunterdon County Police Officer Diagnosed With ALS A longtime first responder in Hunterdon County is in the fight for his life. Peter Serrone, 49, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, (ALS) in Dec. 2023, following a longtime career as a first responder, serving as a volunteer firefighter, EMT and police officer, first in Raritan Township and later Readington Township, where he achieved a rank the corporal. A fundraiser has been set up to assist Serrone and his family with costs related to ALS. As of Friday, Feb. 9, more than $20,000 has been raised.  Please help us support Rescue Squad Honorary Life Member Pete S…
Joseph Luistro, Edison's First Asian American Police Officer, Dies At 55 Joseph Luistro, Edison's First Asian American Police Officer, Dies At 55
Joseph Luistro, Edison's First Asian American Police Officer, Dies At 55 Retired Edison Police Sergeant Joseph Vincent Luistro died on Thursday, Jan. 18 of Lou Gehrig's disease, according to Edison Township police. He was 55 years old. Luistro was a 27-year veteran of the police force and was the first Asian American to serve in the Edison Police Department. Luistro started his law enforcement career in 1993 at Rutgers University-New Brunswick Police Department. He transferred to the Edison Police Department in 1999. Joe served as president of the New Jersey Asian American Law Enforcement Association in 2008, "actively fostering inclusivity in law enforcement c…
Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle
Christine Grogan, Wyckoff Resident, Dies After Three-Year ALS Battle Christine Grogan, a 60-year-old Wyckoff resident, died on Sunday, Dec. 31, three years after being diagnosed with ALS. A special education teacher, Grogan worked as director of the Epic School in Paramus and for the Learners' Compass in Tenafly, according to her obituary. Grogan was devoted to helping people diagnosed with autism. Grogan was married to Christopher Grogan, a Glen Ridge police officer. The Glen Ridge Police Benevolent Association has established a fundraiser to assist with funeral costs. As of Friday, Jan. 5, more than $10,000 has been raised. On Sunday, December 31, 202…
Arlington's Sandra Bullock Loses Life Partner Bryan Randall After ALS Battle: Report Arlington's Sandra Bullock Loses Life Partner Bryan Randall After ALS Battle: Report
Arlington's Sandra Bullock Loses Life Partner Bryan Randall After ALS Battle: Report Bryan Randall, the longtime boyfriend of Arlington native Sandra Bullock, has died after a private battle with ALS, PEOPLE reports. Randall, 57, a photographer, died peacefully on Saturday, Aug. 5, his family said in a statement to the outlet. He apparently met 59-year-old Bullock while photographing her son's birthday in 2015. Bullock was raised in Arlington, having been a cheerleader and in theater productions at Washington-Lee High School. On an episode of "Red Table Talk" with Jada Pinkett-Smith, Bullock called Randall the love of her life.  "I don't need a paper to be a devoted …
‘She Is A Fighter:’ Beloved Mom Battling ALS Sees Wave Of Support From Phillipsburg Community ‘She Is A Fighter:’ Beloved Mom Battling ALS Sees Wave Of Support From Phillipsburg Community
‘She Is A Fighter:’ Beloved Mom Battling ALS Sees Wave Of Support From Phillipsburg Community The Phillipsburg community is coming together to support a beloved mom who is battling a rare form of ALS. GoFundMe creator Samantha Anderson of Phillipsburg says her mother, Kathleen, is “also an amazing grandmother, wife, sister, aunt, and the best friend you could ever have.” About two months ago, Kathleen, 62, received a heartbreaking diagnosis of Bulbar Onset ALS, which Anderson says typically begins in the face and neck and is ultimately “one of the rarest and most aggressive types of ALS.” Since then, Kathleen has lost almost all her ability to speak, swallow, and has a high choking…
Medway Father, Veteran Diagnosed With ALS Met With Surge Of Support Medway Father, Veteran Diagnosed With ALS Met With Surge Of Support
Medway Father, Veteran Diagnosed With ALS Met With Surge Of Support Only months after being diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), an active Medway father now requires a wheelchair and communication technology but is being flooded with support by his community.  Mike Chenette was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease in September 2022 just before his 57th birthday, according to a GoFundMe created to support Chenette and his family. The fundraiser has generated over $100,000 to support the family while Chenette continues to deteriorate.  Chenette attended Quincy High School and West Point before serving in the army. He was deplo…
Former School Principal From Bedford Dies After 'Courageous' ALS Battle Former School Principal From Bedford Dies After 'Courageous' ALS Battle
Former School Principal From Bedford Dies After 'Courageous' ALS Battle A former elementary school principal from Northern Westchester has died after a hard-fought battle with ALS.  Katonah resident David Wallick died on Wednesday, Jan. 4 at the age of 60, according to his obituary.  Born in Springfield, Massachusetts in 1962 before moving to New York and growing up in Eastchester, Wallick spent his life in education and became an elementary school teacher for more than two decades.  He then eventually became the principal of Haldane Elementary School in Cold Spring.  Wallick was drawn to his career because he loved knowing he could help p…
Holiday Cheer Sought For Bergen County Teacher With ALS Holiday Cheer Sought For Bergen County Teacher With ALS
Holiday Cheer Sought For Bergen County Teacher With ALS A Bergen County teacher who's married to a police officer could use some holiday cheer. Friends have been rallying to help Christine Grogan of Wyckoff, who has ALS, and her family. "Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing loss of muscle control," friend Nancy Bellovich in a GoFundMe campaign. "This is a progressive disease that still has no cure." Christine and her husband, Glen Ridge Police Officer Christopher Grogan, have two children, 15-year-old Julia and Jack. "At this stage of the disease, Christine is requiring at-home healt…
'Infectious Smile': Chappaqua Native Dies After 5-Year ALS Battle 'Infectious Smile': Chappaqua Native Dies After 5-Year ALS Battle
'Infectious Smile': Chappaqua Native Dies After 5-Year ALS Battle A man who grew up in Northern Westchester known for his intellectual curiosity and love of his family has died after a battle with ALS.  Doug DeSalvo, who grew up in Peekskill and Chappaqua, died on Friday, Nov. 11 at the age of 54, according to his obituary.  Born in Tarrytown in 1968, DeSalvo attended Horace Greenley High School in Chappaqua before transferring to the Frederick Gunn School in Washington, Connecticut., his obituary said. DeSalvo then earned his Bachelor's Degree at Radford University in Virginia before relocating to North Carolina in 2010, where he met his wife,…
Longtime Capital District ‘Santa’ Who Died From ALS Remembered As Devoted Partner Longtime Capital District ‘Santa’ Who Died From ALS Remembered As Devoted Partner
Longtime Capital District ‘Santa’ Who Died From ALS Remembered As Devoted Partner Family and friends are mourning the death of a Capital District man who was better known to many children over the years as Santa Claus. Albany resident Carl Nantista died Monday, May 30, at the age of 67 following a “long, courageous battle” with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, according to his obituary. After graduating from Hudson Valley Community College in 1975, Nantista spent 38 years working for Jacoby/Marcone appliance parts, his obituary said. He drove school buses for the North Colonie Central School District for three years and spent 23 years with the Albany Police Pipes & Dru…
New Hope-Solebury High School Grad, Brad Frith Dies At 47 Following 4-Year Battle With ALS New Hope-Solebury High School Grad, Brad Frith Dies At 47 Following 4-Year Battle With ALS
New Hope-Solebury High School Grad, Brad Frith Dies At 47 Following 4-Year Battle With ALS Brad Carter Frith of Bucks County died on Feb. 21, 2021. He was 47 years old. A native to Buckingham Township, Frith and his partners spearheaded TransNoble Logistics, an intermodal trucking service, and technological company DrayNow before he was diagnosed with ALS in 2017, his obituary says. Frith was a graduate of New Hope-Solebury High School and Penn State University, his obit says. "He was a dedicated athlete earning nine varsity letters in basketball, cross country, and tennis. He was also voted Best Male Athlete in his graduating class," the obit reads. Frith's obituary remembered…
Westchester's Pat Quinn, Co-Founder Of 'ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,' Dies At 37 Westchester's Pat Quinn, Co-Founder Of 'ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,' Dies At 37
Westchester's Pat Quinn, Co-Founder Of 'ALS Ice Bucket Challenge,' Dies At 37 Condolences are pouring in from across the world at the passing of Pat Quinn, the co-founder of the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge Quinn died of the disease on Sunday, Nov. 22, said the ALS. Foundation at the age of 37 in Yonkers.  He was diagnosed in March of 2013, a month after his 30th birthday. Immediately after he was diagnosed, he decided he wanted to make a difference in the ALS community.  Taking a cue from his friend, the late Pete Frates, Pat established his own team of supporters – Quinn for the Win – to raise awareness and funds for the fight against ALS, the organization. Pat, who…
Jersey Shore Fitness Enthusiast Battling ALS Won't Fight Alone Jersey Shore Fitness Enthusiast Battling ALS Won't Fight Alone
Jersey Shore Fitness Enthusiast Battling ALS Won't Fight Alone Friends and co-workers of a Monmouth County resident are raising money to help her during her battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. Susan Antoon Cousins has touched many people’s lives including those who have known her during the past 30 years at Jersey Shore Fitness Shop, a 24/7 gym in Bradley Beach. Some may know Cousins, who is a resident of Neptune City, from Hope Integrated Behavioral Healthcare or Vics Italian Restaurant, where she has worked. Others remember Cousins from the years she coached winning field hockey teams. In August, Cousins became severely ill. She recently was diag…
Community Rallies For Retired Byram Detective With ALS After Town Cuts Benefits Community Rallies For Retired Byram Detective With ALS After Town Cuts Benefits
Community Rallies For Retired Byram Detective With ALS After Town Cuts Benefits The Byram Township community is coming together to support a retired member of law enforcement with ALS experiencing even more unforeseen hardship. Former Byram Police Detective Joseph “Todd” Duffy was diagnosed with the degenerative illness in 2016. His former employer, the Township of Byram, made cuts to the insurance benefits in June 2019, according to a Facebook post by his step-daughter, Hunter Bisanzio. As a result, Duffy is unable to afford medication that can slow the progression of his condition while improving his quality of life, the post says. “We, as a community, need to…
Support Pours In For Family Who Lost 'Mom To All' To ALS Support Pours In For Family Who Lost 'Mom To All' To ALS
Support Pours In For Family Who Lost 'Mom To All' To ALS Support is pouring in for area residents who tragically lost a woman known as a "mom to all." Patricia Fenton, 55, died Monday, June 24 at her Wappingers Falls home from complications of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease. In addition to her husband, Billy, she is survived by her children, Victoria Fenton, Alexa Fenton and Robert Fenton; her granddaughter, Evalisse Fenton; her siblings, Claudia Chiappardi, Janet Olson, Gail Buccellato, Francis Chiappardi, Vincent Chiappardi and Lisa Allis; many nieces and nephews. A GoFundMe page has been star…
Long Road Ahead For Livingston Athlete Battling ALS Long Road Ahead For Livingston Athlete Battling ALS
Long Road Ahead For Livingston Athlete Battling ALS The future was looking bright for Jeremy Schreiber of Livingston. He was two years into a happy marriage. His New York City career in software sales was booming. His passion for running and sailing was stronger than ever. But in March 2017, everything changed. The then-37-year-old noticed his right foot wasn't keeping up with his left. He was tripping over himself but didn't think too much of it -- until his doctor said it was more serious than Shreiberg first thought. Tests confirmed the doctors' theory: ALS. More than $120,000 had been raised as of March 26 on a GoFundMe for Schreiber, …
Celebration Of Life Will Honor Montvale Teacher Donna Myhre Celebration Of Life Will Honor Montvale Teacher Donna Myhre
Celebration Of Life Will Honor Montvale Teacher Donna Myhre A celebration of life has been scheduled for Fieldstone Middle School math teacher Donna Myhre, who died Saturday morning following a hard-fought battle with ALS at 43 years old. The service will be on Saturday, Oct. 13 6 to 8 p.m. at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Oakland, with a speech by Pastor Ed Hasse. The family will receive guests at the church prior to the celebration. A limited memorial at the Oakland Memorial Home will be from 2 to 4 p.m. that day.There will be no formal service at the funeral home.  Myhre -- survived by her husband, Mike Myhre, and her beloved daughter…
Beloved Montvale Math Teacher Donna Myhre Of Oakland, 43, Dies After Battle With ALS Beloved Montvale Math Teacher Donna Myhre Of Oakland, 43, Dies After Battle With ALS
Beloved Montvale Math Teacher Donna Myhre Of Oakland, 43, Dies After Battle With ALS Donna Myhre fought ALS as hard as she could. Formerly a triathlete, the Oakland mom and Montvale teacher took advantage of each ounce of independence that remained after being diagnosed six years ago.  Every cherished moment was spent with her daughter, Mikayla, with whom she was pregnant at the time of her diagnosis. "What’s driving me is my desire to still be there and exist for many reasons,” Myhre told Daily Voice last year. “But primarily for my daughter.” Myhre died Saturday morning. She was 43. Her family announced her passing on the GoFundMe campaign, which had raised nearly …
Westchester HS Alum Wins Top Prize For Creating Brain Computer Interface Westchester HS Alum Wins Top Prize For Creating Brain Computer Interface
Westchester HS Alum Wins Top Prize For Creating Brain Computer Interface Since taking his academic talents from Westchester to the University of Buffalo, a recent high school graduate is making a name for himself as an up-and-comer in the tech field. William Phillips, a 2017 graduate of Mount Vernon High School, recently took top honors in his category as a Computer Science and Engineering student at the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) Research Poster Symposium. During a near nine-week boot camp, Phillips - an incoming sophomore and computer science major at the University of Buffalo - completed an extensive research program under the tut…
Support Pours in For Westchester Native Diagnosed With ALS Support Pours in For Westchester Native Diagnosed With ALS
Support Pours in For Westchester Native Diagnosed With ALS Communities in Westchester are rallying in support of a Bronxville native who has received a diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease. A fundraising campaign has been started for Chris Thalacker, who was diagnosed with ALS last July and is already beginning to see some of the debilitating effects of the disease, which “robs its victims of the ability to walk, dress themselves, talk, swallow, and ultimately breathe, all the while leaving their minds intact.” Thalacker has already lost most of the use of his left arm, and approximatel…
ALS Won't Get Him (Or His Mom) Down: New Canaan Singer Writes From Heart ALS Won't Get Him (Or His Mom) Down: New Canaan Singer Writes From Heart
ALS Won't Get Him (Or His Mom) Down: New Canaan Singer Writes From Heart NEW CANAAN, Conn. – You might not think of New Canaan in the same breath as Nashville, New York or Los Angeles when it comes to launching musical careers. But it works for singer-songwriter Nick Depuy. Depuy, a New Canaan resident who recently launched his debut album, calls his music “folksy with a few twists" -- think a combination of James Taylor meets Mumford & Sons. His goal, he said, is to tell a meaningful story through his music. “I’ve always written music as a certain therapy for myself,” said the 24-year-old who found his passion for guitar in high school.  “My hope is t…