new york family makes the walk to defeat als a bi...

For the Abbate family the Walk to Defeat ALS is a bi-coastal family affair. Elan Swanson first formed the walk team Donna Donna Bo Bonna in honor of her mom Donna who lives in Los Angeles, and was diagnosed with ALS in 2016. But just one Walk team wasn’t enough, so Chris Abbate, Donna’s brother, decided their team would have a presence on both coasts and will participate in both the Westchester and LA Walks.

“Donna has a big family support group here on the east coast because it is where she lived for years before moving out to LA two years ago for a job opportunity and to be closer to her daughter and granddaughter,” Chris said.

Chris said that for his family, the Walks are all about spreading awareness, raising funds, and keeping Donna’s spirits up.

“We have noticed some changes since her diagnosis. Her speech pattern has altered; she speaks a little slower, especially when the discussion becomes lengthy. When it comes to physical work, she does things at her own pace, but she does NOT give up or ask for help. Donna is a fighter, strong and courageous in all aspects of her life.”

Long Island - Sat., Sept. 16, 2017

Central Jersey - Sat., Oct. 7, 2017

Hudson Valley, NY - Sun., Oct. 15, 2017

FALL 2017 WALK DATES

REGISTER NOW AT WWW.ALSWALKS.ORG!

Serving New York City, Long Island, Westchester County, Lower Hudson Valley, and Northern & Central New Jersey42 Broadway, Suite 1724, New York, NY 10004 • (212) 619-1400 | ALS-NY.org • Facebook.com/ALSofGNY • Twitter - @ALSofGNY

JULY MONTHLY UPDATE

Advocacy Patient Services Research Awareness

NEW YORK FAMILY MAKES THE WALK TO DEFEAT ALS A BI-COASTAL AFFAIR

Chris says the challenges haven’t stopped Donna from living her life to the fullest!

“She has been traveling quite a bit. We met her in Nashville and she also recently went to Hawaii. She’s come back to NY twice, traveled to Vegas, and has a trip planned this year to Arizona,” Chris said. “Even though the disease is having an affect on her it’s not effecting her joy or her love to live.”

The Abbate family says it’s important for others to step up and get involved now, before it hits close to home. “Get involved because you never know when it might affect you or your family, or a close friend. If it does, try and support them as best you can. I encourage people to help by walking, and if possible, by donating,” Chris said. Our entire family is Donna’s support team and we do it all for her.

To find a Walk to Defeat ALS in your area, head to our website and register today for one of our 3 remaining Fall Walks!

www.ALSWALKS.org or call 1-800-672-8857 The Abbate family and members of Team Donna Donna Bo BonnaDonna is pictured in the back row, centered

Greater New York Chapter42 Broadway, Suite 1724New York, NY 10004(212) 619-1400Fax: (212) 619-7409www.als-ny.org

Non Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDHicksville NY

Permit 842

MANHATTAN, NYTuesday, July 18th, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pmMt. Sinai Beth Israel Hospital Phillips Ambulatory Care Center10 Union Square East (b/w 14th & 15th Sts.)New York, NY 10003Neurology Dept., 5th Floor Conf. RoomContact: Jody Wiesel, PhD, (917) 699-9751Topic: Medicare & Medicaid EligibilitySpeaker: Elisha Wellerstein, Esq., Elder Care AttorneyNext month’s support group meets: August 15th, 2017

QUEENS, NYWednesday, July 19th, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pmSilverCrest Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation144-45 87th Avenue Briarwood, NY 11435 Contacts: Michelle McKenzie, LMSW (718) 644-1750Marta Kazandjian Ranaldo, M.A. CCC-SLP BRS-S (718) 480-4026 Topic: Open DiscussionNext month’s support group meets: August group is cancelled; and, will resume its regular schedule in September.

JAMES J. PETERS BRONX VA MEDICAL CENTER * Open to veterans and non veterans *Wednesday, July 12th, 2017 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm130 West Kingsbridge Road, 1E - Dayroom SCI UnitBronx, NY 10468Contacts: Michelle McKenzie, LMSW (718) 644-1750Carmen Rivas, RN (718) 584-9000 ext. 5405April Jones, RN (718) 584-9000 ext. 5213

Topic: Managing ALS with Adaptive DevicesSpeaker: Desiree Alvarado, OTR/L Occupational TherapistNext month’s support group meets: August 9th, 2017

NASSAU COUNTY, NYJuly group is cancelled due to the July 4th holiday Northwell Health - Plainview Hospital - (Downstairs)888 Old Country Road - Plainview, NY 11803 Contact: Cindy Keyser-Posner, LMSW (631) 416-2767Carol Bishop, RN, (631) 219-0947 Next month’s support group meets: August 6th, 2017

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NYJuly group is cancelled due to the July 4th holiday Stony Brook University, Dept. of Neurology179 N. Belle Mead Road, East Setauket, NY 11733Contacts: Cindy Keyser-Posner, LMSW, (631)416-2767Theresa Imperato, RN, (516) 946-5467Next month’s support group meets: August 1st, 2017

WESTCHESTER, NY/WHITE PLAINSTuesday, July 11th, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:00 pmBurke Rehabilitation Center785 Mamaroneck Avenue, Building 7White Plains, NY 10601Contacts: Helen Mayer, RN, (845) 520-0952Nancy Brenner, LCSW, (914) 406-3513Topic: Open Discussion Next month’s support group meets: August 8th, 2017

LOWER HUDSON VALLEY, NYJuly group is cancelled due to the July 4th holiday Ambulatory Surgery Center Bldg. C, 3rd Fl.200 Westage Business Center - Fishkill, NY 12524Contacts: Helen Mayer, RN, (845) 520-0952Nancy Brenner, LCSW, (914) 406-3513Next month’s support group meets: August 1st, 2017

NORTHERN NJThursday, July 6th, 2017 from 7:00 to 9:00 pmKessler Institute for Rehabilitation300 Market Street, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663Contacts: Debbie Schlossberg, LMSW, (732) 710-8832Mary Ann Mertz, RN, (908) 552-5573Topic: Open DiscussionNext month’s support group meets: August 3rd, 2017

SPECIALIZED SUPPORT GROUP FOR NEWLY DIAGNOSED NORTHERN NJ, Thursday, July 27th, 7-9 pm For more information please contact: Mary Ann Mertz, RN, (908) 552-5573or Debbie Schlossberg, LMSW (732) 710-8832

CENTRAL NJ Saturday, July 15th, 2017 from 1:30 to 3:30 pmRobert Wood Johnson Fitness & Wellness Center100 Kirkpatrick Street - Community Education RoomNew Brunswick, NJ 08901, Level 2Contacts: Debbie Schlossberg, LMSW, (732) 710-8832Mary Ann Mertz, RN, (908) 552-5573Topic: Open DiscussionNext month’s support group meets: August 19th, 2017

JULY 2017 SUPPORT GROUPS

TELEPHONE SUPPORT GROUPSPATIENT group: Every Wednesday from 2:30 to 3:30 pmCAREGIVERS group: Every Wednesday from 4 to 5 pmContact: Susan Zimmerman, LCSW at 212-720-3050Topics include: Open discussions and Meditation and Guided Imagery for Stress Reduction

NATIONAL ALS REGISTRYPeople living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) may self enroll in the ALS Registry via a secure on-line web portal at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/als.

For more about the ALS Registry, contact Christine Dunn in the chapter o�ce at (212) 720-3044 or [email protected]. Chris can also help you with your enrollment.



PAIDHicksville NY

Permit 842


















PAIDHicksville NY

Permit 842
















new york family makes the walk to defeat als a bi...

Documents