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Community Corner

Stand Up Comedy Fundraiser to Support ALS Patient-Care and Research Efforts Set for November 27th in Hartford

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED DUE TO INCLEMENT WEATHER.  THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT!

In November 2009, life changed forever for the Matthews Family of Beacon Falls.  It was then they learned that one of their own, Susan Ready Matthews, had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). 

Also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, ALS is a degenerative motor neuron disorder which takes healthy, physically capable individuals and slips them into full-body paralysis.  At the time of diagnosis, ALS patients are only expected to live an additional two-to-five years with the disease.    

 “It was a transformative moment for our family,” says Ryan Matthews, 25, son of Susan Matthews and the Executive Director of the recently established Susie Foundation, which he founded in his mother’s honor.

“We were up against it in a lot of ways and faced with, at times, seemingly insurmountable challenges,” recounts Matthews, “but we were lucky to have an incredibly supportive, loving, and dedicated network of family, friends, and community care providers to help us along the way.”

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Though Susan passed away in 2011, the outpouring of love and support the Matthews family received has motivated them to continue their work in support of ALS-related research and patient-care initiatives, along with public advocacy and education efforts. 

“The Susie Foundation is a family-wide brainchild that is focused on securing a future free from ALS,” says Matthews.  “We have come to know ALS on a very intimate level and want to do all we can to help support the 30,000 other patients and families nation-wide currently living with the disease.”

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Enlisting the help of his family, along with innumerable friends and community members, Matthews is spearheading an upcoming “Stand Up For ALS” fundraiser to support the newly organized charity.  On Wednesday, November 27th, at City Steam Brewery’s Brew HaHa Comedy Club beginning at 6:30PM, The Susie Foundation will be hosting their Stand Up for ALS event, which will help raise money to support patients and families living with Lou Gehrig’s Disease in Connecticut.  

The event will feature Ben Fidler, Brian Six, Mike DiAlto, Dan King, and other mainstays of the Philadelphia comedy circuit.  The event is co-sponsored by Onyx Spirits Company, of East Hartford.

Individuals aged 21+ who are interested in attending the fundraiser can buy tickets through City Steam’s website (http://www.citysteam.biz/)  and clicking on the "Comedy Schedule & Tickets" link at the top of the homepage.

Individuals interested in learning more about The Susie Foundation should contact Ryan Matthews at (203) 217-4884 or TheSusieFoundation@gmail.com.

The Susie Foundation is Beacon Falls based non-profit fighting to secure a future free from ALS.  They accomplish this each and every day by actively supporting research, education, advocacy, and patient-care efforts on both the local and national levels.

This fundraiser is proudly co-sponsored by City Steam Brewery and Onyx Spirits Company of East Hartford.





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