From the Family

Supporting Project A.L.S.
A Letter From Peter Jr.
Lillian's Son

Lillian Gusmano, a mother, a wife, a best friend. To know Lillian Gusmano was to know a woman who dedicated her life to making her family, friends and those who surrounded her, bask in the glow of her wonderful spirit. Everyone who met my mother was touched in one way or another. Perhaps a meaningful word, a kind gesture or a hug that warmed the core of your heart. Lillian gave the world life and will eternally continue to represent the grace and dignity of someone facing the ultimate adversity, ALS. The day my mother was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease), she shrugged her shoulders, turned to me and with a tear in her eye, said "why me?" That day, I was faced with my most difficult moment... not being able to answer my mother.

Why are people with no physical ailments stricken with this crippling disease that takes away a person's most basic motor skills? We ask this question as do those who are challenged every day with this debilitating disease. ALS is not a rare disease, of the U.S. population living today, over 300,000 Americans will die from ALS. One was Lillian, who in perfect health was stricken with ALS and 18 months later taken from us by the ravages of this disease.

Why We Decided to Link Up to Project A.L.S.
In our quest to find the answers, we were touched by the story of the Estess sisters who formed Project A.L.S. What is this?

Project A.L.S. is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to:

Finding a cure for A.L.S.
Finding an effective treatment for people living with A.L.S.
Raising awareness about A.L.S.

Since it's founding, in 1998, Project A.L.S. has raised over $23 million. Over 83% of the money raised goes directly to funding for historic research programs. Current cutting-edge projects include:

Gene Chip Discovery
Accelerated Drug Testing
Neural Stem Cell Replacement

Founded by Jennifer Estess, who was diagnosed with ALS in 1997, along with her family and friends, Project A.L.S. continues to raise significant funds for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) research. The mission is to bring the best basic science to people living with ALS, a fatal neuromuscular disease, in the form of effective treatments and a cure.

Please join us in the fight against ALS and in my mothers honor, Lillian Gusmano, by donating to Project A.L.S. or purchasing our "LET'S CURE ALS " wristbands or pins.

Thank you.

Peter Gusmano, Jr.