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THE
TUTORING
CENTER
The Guz family in 2002: Liz and Brian and children, Michael, 10, David, 12,
and Lauren, 7.
One Link At A Time
Family works to help cure mental illness.
Sari M. Cicurel
Special to the Jewish News
M
ichael was only 17, just finish-
ing his junior year at Groves
High School in Birmingham,
when his years of struggle with bipolar
disorder came to an end in 2009. Sadly, he
took his own life.
"He had been seen by a therapist and
psychologist because he was suffering
from depression and anxiety; said his
mother, Elizabeth Guz, who lives with
husband Brian, a urologist, in Franklin.
Their children are David, 24, and Lauren,
19.
The family could see that Michael had
been anxious and depressed for a long
time. Guz knew it wasn't getting better
even as they tried different medications
and therapies, and it only became worse
as Michael became an adolescent.
Through tears many years later, Guz
said, "My grief will never go away, but I
could not let it define me or our family:'
First, the Guz family formed the
Michael Guz Memorial Fund in conjunc-
tion with the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar
Research Fund at the University of
Michigan Depression Center. Their goal: to
find genetic solutions for individuals with
bipolar disorder and improve their lives.
Bipolar disorder is caused by a chemi-
cal imbalance in the brain and marked
by significant changes in mood, thought,
energy and behavior.
"Knowing you have a choice and mak-
ing the choice to do something while
grieving is an incredible struggle Guz
said. "I knew I wanted to help others
going through this struggle:'
The Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar Research
Fund made sense. The U-M Depression
Center is doing genetic testing on an
ongoing basis. "We had seen how my
mother-in-law suffered with mental ill-
ness over the years," Guz said.
Guz knew research and education for
other families is where she wanted to
dedicate her energy. "I use my grief and
my strength knowing that we are breaking
TM
Empowering Children to Reach their Potential
down the barriers and stigma and making
people talk about mental illness:' she said.
Birmingham
765 E. Maple Road
West Bloomfield
6247 Orchard Lake Road
www.tutoringcenter.com
Raising Awareness
In order to raise funds and awareness,
ELLA Designs was born.
Elizabeth and her daughter, Lauren,
had a vision to create a business making
beautiful jewelry while raising awareness
and money for bipolar research. Half of
the proceeds from ELLA Designs are
donated to the Heinz C. Prechter Bipolar
Research Fund.
In 2013, the business donated $25,000
toward research. Since its inception, the
Michael Guz Memorial Fund has gener-
ated almost $70,000 in gifts to support
bipolar research.
ELLA Designs offers original and
unique jewelry made from miner-
als, gemstones, base metals and dia-
monds. Bracelets and some necklaces are
made with easy-to-close magnetic clasps.
Prices range from $40 to $300.
"They are also extremely versatile and
the bracelets can be added to each other
to make a choker or longer necklace' Guz
said.
Many of the necklaces are functional
as well as beautiful, such as working
watches, magnifying glasses, whistles and
lockets.
Having had success at shows and house
parties, Guz is excited to launch the online
store at www.elladesignsjewelry.com.
"I see that slowly the negative stigma of
mental illness is being lifted, but we need
to do more' Guz said.
Just recently, she met with members
of the Prechter research team at the U-M
Depression Center who are doing ground-
breaking research to make treatment
more tailored for the individual by testing
stem cells and finding what medications
will work best for bipolar disorder.
1918470
Wednesday, May 21, 2014 7:00
AUTHOR TALK
WITH
PM
STEVE LUXENBERG
Annie's Ghosts:
A Journey into a Family Secret
Steve Luxenberg
Associate Editor
The Washington Post
A I ‘„ 1,,, I ma / n/ i t,. /-11
1 /P
'4 7
C u /
s time erodes the landscape
and memory fades, history
becomes intangible. Meet author
Steve Luxenberg and discover
the unexpected journey that led
to the discovery of an untold
family history, lost relatives, and
Michigan's asylums.
A
■
ADMISSION: Free with
museum admission,
no reservations required
GENEROUSLY
SPONSORED BY:
PNC
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
Dorothy and
Hershel Sandberg
Jgt tAEMoR,.?
P
Questions on events? Call Lawrence Willim at 248.553.2400, ext. 124
HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL CENTER ZEKELMAN FAMILY CAMPUS
09
28123 Orchard Lake Rd. • Farmington Hills, MI 48334 www.holocaustcenter.org
NOTTING HILL
of WEST BLOOMFIELD
HEALTH SERVICES
Our caring, professional staff offers you or your
loved ones a wide array of around-the-clock health
care services that include but are not limited to:
•
❑
For information on ELLA Designs, call (248)
865-9620 or visit www.elladesignsjewelry.
com. For more information on the Bipolar
24-hour Nursing Care
•
Post-Surgical Care
•
Dental, Podiatry and Psychiatry Services
•
X-ray, Pharmacy and Laboratory Services
•
Wound Care Management
•
Care Management, Discharge Planning
and Social Work Services
•
Pain Management
•
Physiatrist and medical Physician on site full time
•
IV Therapy
•
Registered Dietitian
Research Fund, call (877) UM-GENES (864-
3637) or visit Prechterfund.org .
24-Hour Nursing Care
6535 Drake Road, Wesc Bloomfield, MI 48322
phone 248.592.2000 www.cienafacilities.com
Ci ENA
1914670
JN
May 15 • 2014
35