Copyright 2004, NY Newsday
Sunday, March 7, 2004

Christina Raia was 14 when her father Anthony was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease. At the time, this devoted husband and father-of-five was 43 years old.

Of course, her father's sudden illness completely changed Raia's life. She became determined to do whatever she could to help raise awareness of this mysterious disease that can inexplicably strike anyone at any time.

In 2001, she and her family participated in the First Annual Long Island Walk to D'Feet ALS held by the ALS Association of Greater New York. With her mom Rosa as co-captain and 50 people they gathered for the event, Team Raia raised nearly $16,000.

"It was a day of hope and inspiration," she says.

Realizing there were many ways she could make a difference, Raia put pen to paper and published an article about ALS in her high school newspaper. Then she delivered a speech before the Suffolk County Legislature, explaining the critical need for government funding for research.

Since then, Raia has participated every year in the Walk to D'Feet ALS and Ride for Life, a nine-day fundraising event in which ALS patients ride in power wheelchairs from Montauk to New York City.

To date, Raia and her family have raised $45,000 for the ALS Association of Greater New York. "Christina is an extraordinary young woman who has truly made a positive impact on the lives of those within her community," says Vicky Sbarro, who met Raia through the ALS Association.

A graduate of Commack High School, Raia, now 19, is currently majoring in business at St. Joseph's College and works part-time at a fitness facility. She will once again participate in Ride for Life this May and the Walk to D'Feet ALS in September. Her father's illness has progressed and he is now almost completely paralyzed. He communicates by way of a specialized computer that speaks what he types. "I could not have asked God for a better father," Raia says. "I am fighting this battle for him and I will fight until a cure is found, whether it is tomorrow or fifty years from now."

Every Sunday, Newsday presents another Everyday Hero — a special person who helps make Long Island a better place.