Hudson – A group of local residents, the “Friends of Paul Cellucci,” will be holding a fundraiser on Wednesday, June 20, to benefit the UMass ALS Champion Fund. The event will be held at the? Charter Oaks Country Club, 394 Chestnut St., Hudson, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Cellucci, a Hudson resident, is a former Governor of Massachusetts and Ambassador to Canada. He announced in January 2011 that he had been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative disease. Cellucci is currently being treated at UMass Medical School (UMMS) by Dr. Robert H. Brown, Jr., D.Phil., MD, director of the Day Neuromuscular Research Laboratory at UMMS and one of the world's leading ALS researchers.
Monies raised at the event will go to the UMass ALS Champion Fund to raise awareness and funding for the research being done at the neuromuscular laboratory.
Cellucci said he has chosen to use his story as a catalyst to support UMMS and the research being done there regarding ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.
“I am thrilled to have so many close friends join me in this effort,” said Cellucci. “Raising this money for our state medical school, and Dr. Robert Brown's research on ALS, is an important and worthwhile endeavor.? I's so appreciative of the support I'se received and look forward to seeing many friends, and meeting new ones, on June 20th.”
Bob Yesue is the owner of Roc's Salon in Marlborough and a close childhood friend of Cellucci.
“We are looking forward to a great night of friends, old and new, and raising some money for this cause,” Yesue said. “Come one, come all and help us make this a tremendous success!”
For more information about the event or to make a donation to Champion Fund, please contact [email protected] learn more about the UMass ALS Champion Fund, visit www.umassals.com.