Fundraiser For Lacey Woman Stricken With ALS Was Standing Room Only

Lacey residents came together recently to support a Lacey Township woman who is trying to stave off amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Megean and Sal Bagarozza were overwhelmed by the number of people who came to a recent spaghetti dinner fundraiser organized by the Women's Council of Realtors, Century21 Pacesetter and the Bagarozza family. It was standing room only.

All of the donations haven't been toted up yet, but the proceeds will be used to help get Megean and her husband to Israel for some clinical trials, her sister-in-law Nancy Gray said.

"Selfless giving unto others represents one's true wealth," Megean said on her Facebook page. "You are all rich in my book! I can't thank you enough. What a heartwarming night!"

The fundraising and search for donations continues, Gray said.

"We want to help Megean get to Israel for stem cell treatments and the donations from the fundraiser will be a great start, but we can't wait too long," Gray wrote on her Facebook page. "If you couldn't make the event and would like to make a donation, large or small, every dollar is appreciated. Send a check made payable to Megean Bagarozza to the P.O. Box on the attached flyer."

The first hint that something was wrong with Megean came around Christmas 2014. She noticed she had some muscle weakness, mostly in her arms. The couple began to visit specialists to see what was wrong.

One by one, they ruled out Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and other other abnormalities. Soon there was only one devastating answer left - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis - more commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Sal has said.

Their first reaction to the diagnosis was disbelief. Then it became a race to find something, anything, to delay the progression of the disease. The couple would like to go to Israel, where more clinical trials are available, Sal said.

Because ALS is so rare, there is little in the way of fundraising or research in the United States, he said.

Megean can still walk, talk and swallow. But the muscle weakness in her arms has left her unable to feed herself, drive or shower, Sal said.

"My first priority is her," he said.