Riding to help Nate
By Melissa Muntz Contributing Writer

Hundreds of people hit the pavement Aug. 4 to help raise funds for 2-year-old Nate Grenache. Nate suffered from a series of strokes last year, and all proceeds of the motorcycle run will go toward Nate's medical bills. PHOTO/MELISSA MUNTZ

Shrewsbury - Two-year-old Nathan Grenache was as curious and energetic as any other toddler. That is, until, he suffered four massive strokes late last year.

Nate has been left unable to walk or talk, and he now requires around-the-clock care. His parents, Brian and Marcy Grenache, have both quit their jobs to care for him, but are finding it hard to pay his medical expenses, which continue to increase with every treatment Nate undergoes to help reverse the eff ects of the strokes.

Which is why Nate's aunt, Michele Grenache-McDermott, organized a motorcycle run fund-raiser to help her brother and sister-in-law secure any treatment that might help bring back the little boy they know and love.

"To have a child so lively and then all of a sudden have it just taken away is cruel," Grenache- McDermott said. "We want to make sure they can give him anything he possibly needs."

Hundreds of people turned out for the motorcycle run and subsequent car show at SAC Park in Shrewsbury Aug. 4. The proceeds will be used to off set the cost of a trip to the Dominican Republic, where Nate will undergo stem cell implantation therapy not available in the United States. The cost is $30,000.

Grenache-McDermott is astonished by the number of people who have reached out to the family, people who don't know Nate, but have been touched by his story.

"The support from people is just completely overwhelming," she said.

One of these people is Joe Bizarro of Worcester. Bizarro said there was no way he wouldn't have come on the ride to help out the little boy.

"Whatever I can do to help him get his treatment, I'll do even if it only helps a little bit," he said.

Hearing about the Grenache family's struggle helped him to better appreciate what he has, and so he felt he actually got more out of the ride than Nate did, Bizarro said.

Nate's story also resonated with Shrewsbury Police Officer Vincent Scanlon, who, along with three other Shrewsbury officers and two state troopers, volunteered his time to escort the riders participating in the run.

To make a donation to Nate's cause, send e-mail to Grenache- McDermott at mtgrenache@aol. com for more information.