Ride For Life: Fighting ALS is a family affair

Thursday, June 12, 2003
By Daniele Cruz
Glouster County Times, NJ

MONROE TWP. -- Betty Paster said efforts to pull together and raise money for a Philadelphia relative with Lou Gehrig's disease has been quite a family affair, especially with 10 grown children.

Paster's son-in-law, Ed Zusin, who is married to her third child, Julie, was diagnosed with ASL (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, about six months ago and since then the family has pooled its hope and strength throughout the tri-state area to support them.

ALS is an incurable fatal neuromuscular disease that attacks the motor neurons in the brain and the spinal cord, rendering the patient physically paralyzed. It doesn't, however, affect the mind.

"You gradually lose every motor system you have," Paster explained. "Your brain functions perfectly, but you can't move your body. You're trapped inside a shell."

The Paster family is selling books of tickets for $10 each, with a guaranteed $1,000 for the drawing's winner.

The prize includes things such as gift certificates to area restaurants, NASCAR tickets, baseball game tickets and museum tickets and autographed sports shirts. The drawing will be held Aug. 17.

The money raised is going toward a fund for Zusin's medicine, which costs about $800 per month.

"I can't see our country allowing companies to charge such astronomical amounts for a drug that is not going to cure him," Paster said. "It may only retard the progress (of the ASL)."

Paster said this is the first time her family has had to pull together in such a tragic situation.

"We're a very tight-knit family and everyone will help anyone, thank God," Paster said.

The family is also having a large benefit September 19 at Regency Caterers in Philadelphia. Those tickets are $27 per person or $265 for a table of ten people. The event will include dinner, dancing, cash bar and a silent auction with items such as Temple Owls tickets, gift certificates and a signed Allen Iverson NBA Playoffs sneaker.

Paster said many of the businesses in Monroe Township graciously donated gift certificates or items for the benefit's silent auction.

For more information on the fundraisers or to purchase a book of tickets, contact Cathy Paster at 3116 Maureen Drive, Philadelphia, Pa. 19154. Checks may be made payable to "Friends of Ed Zusin."