Mast Cell
Disorder

Mastocytosis
patients Julie
Stewart of Grand
Blanc and Lindsey

WI
-----'

They walked to benefit a cause.

T

he third annual walk to benefit
the Sarah Gittleman Memorial
Research Fund on behalf of
the Mastocytosis Society raised nearly
$16,000 (including $4,000 from the 2009
Ironman Janus Charity Challenge).
Mastocytosis is a mast cell disease
that can be life threatening. The orphan
disease affects fewer than 200,000 people.
Obtaining proper medical or other ser-
vices is hard because of the rareness of the
disease.
This year, two more families with a fam-
ily member with mass cell disease joined
the Oct. 3 Huntington Woods walk, the
aim of which is to help find a cure. His
mother, Melanie, and two older brothers
accompanied 20-month-old patient Caleb
Petri of Lincoln Park. Young-adult patient
Lindsey Parent of Commerce was accom-
panied by her boyfriend. Patient Julie
Stewart of Grand Blanc and her family

SARAH 611 71.8114 ,

lorstAmA 'ma sc.

1

have been on all three walks.
"The focus of the walk for many of my
family and friends and for the community
is to remember and honor Sarah',' said
walk organizer Barbara Victor-Gittleman
of Huntington Woods.
On Feb. 21, 2004, Sarah Gittleman was
diagnosed with systemic mastocytosis.
Her family did not know what it was, but
they learned quickly. Over the next four
months, Sarah's symptoms increased. By
July, she was diagnosed with mast cell leu-
kemia. She died on Dec. 21, 2004.
Since her death, the Gittleman fam-
ily — parents Barbara and Ted; sister
Laura; grandmothers Natalie, Victor and
Ilene Gittleman; uncles and aunts Neal,
Douglas, Sheryl Victor and Adrienne
Sheinwald, Ellen and Jack Tucker and
Shelly Rossmoore — has become active
with the Mastocytosis Society.
The nonprofit is dedicated to helping

Parent flank walk
organizer Barbara
Victor-Gittleman

MASTOCYTOSIS
SOCIETY *1

Twe

Sarah's parents,
Barbara Victor-
Gittleman and Ted

r

iouts.;* mi sows '

Tar

..

socem

li"i:',

Gittleman, with
Neal Victor of
Huntington Woods,

, — A-404.

qttert;*i..„

who was Sarah's

uncle

ts %

A

parents as well as caregivers and health-
care professionals understand cell disor-
ders. It is a grassroots organization with
staff that either has mast cell disorders or
knows someone who does.
The disease affects infants, adolescents
and adults. There is no known cure.
Treatment is limited to trying to control
the symptoms associated with the disease.

"The most important part of the walk
is to recognize that there are people in
our community that have mastocytosis
and need a cure said Barbara Victor-
Gittleman.
"Those that participate in the walk or
otherwise donate are part of helping to
find a cure —and we thank them with all
our heart:'

ANDREA FISCHER NEWMAN

for

University of Michigan Regent

We are in a pivotal period of
potiticat and economic
uncertainty. My specific business
and fundraising experience
positions me welt to be an
effective advocate to help
meet these challenges. I
have a consistent record
of accomplishment and
based on that record, I
ask for your support as I
seek another eight years
as a Regent for the
University of Michigan

.

Learn More at:
www.FischerNewmanforRegent.corn

Are you facing foreclosure?
Are creditors harassing
you day in and day out?

IT IS TIME TO LEARN THE TRUTH ABOUT BANKRUPTCY!

We can SAVE your home and significantly reduce or
totally eliminate second mortgages, credit card debt
and medical bills and other unsecured debts.

WE CAN HELP YOU!

Call now to arrange a confidential no obligation consultation.

We will get you through this!!

Gudeman & Associates, P.C.

26862 WOODWARD AVE. SUITE 103 • ROYAL OAK, MI 48067

248-546-2800

WWW.GUDEMANLAW.COM

Gudeman & Associates, P.C. is law firm which is a Debt Relief Agency
assisting people seeking protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.

Edward J. Gudeman

October 28 • 2010

31