Giver Spotlight: Why I Donate for Hope
Hi. I’m Patti Tellier-Ruggieri. My hubby, Matt, and I have been donating to Working on Walking (WOW) for years. For me it was a no-brainer. My cousin and friend, Alyssa Silva, was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA), when I was seven. I didn’t get what it meant to have SMA then. To some extent I never will because I don’t live with it. But, that hasn’t changed the impact this disease has had on my life and family’s life. For that reason, I donate.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve been supporting Alyssa’s fight against SMA. First with her greeting cards and calendars, then attending her WOW fundraisers, and, in addition, donating to the cause in general. Every. Single. Year. I’ve seen this girl grow into a woman, and not just any woman, but a fierce, strong, altruistic human being that never let this debilitating disease define her. In fact, she’s redefining it. I’m inspired by her strength and fight to not accept the limitations SMA has instilled on her. For that reason, I donate.
Every August for the past 8 years, my hubby and I have been attending the annual WOW fundraiser and silent auction. I’ve outbid people on Cuisinart pots and pans, bought enough champagne to win myself a pair of diamond earrings in a raffle for a ticket per glass. I didn’t do this because I needed these items (although I did enjoy that champagne), but because of what the dollars went towards – awareness for SMA, a cure for SMA.
It’s not there yet, but each year brings more hope. Each dollar increases the timeliness of that hope. I’ve seen research go from thoughts on paper, to hypotheses, to trials on new drugs…. drugs that are showing some real promise. For that reason, I donate.
If hope and faith could fund research for a cure, then this disease would be no more. I’ve seen hundreds of people – family, friends, strangers – gather and give every year because one woman has touched their lives. Because, in knowing her, you can’t help but want to join in her fight for a cure. Because in true Alyssa fashion, she’s not doing this for herself.
My cousin’s almost 30. The effects this disease has had on her can’t be reversed, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be stopped from impacting other children from other families. For that reason, I donate.
I’m not selfless like she is, in fact, I’m selfish because I need a woman like that in my life a lot longer, so I donate. I donate for the hope that the drugs will prolong her life. That she will have more strength, more health and more time to keep impacting my life and the lives of those around her. To keep fighting for a better tomorrow for those born with SMA.
One life can make a difference, and hers has. Someday because of WOW, because of Alyssa, parents like my aunt and uncle will be told their child has SMA, but it won’t be a death sentence with borrowed time. For that reason, I donate.
I donate for hope, and you should consider doing the same.