Gabby’s Rare Disease Fundraiser

350 million people have rare diseases worldwide, myself included. This is my story.

My name is Gabriella DiSalvo, but I everyone calls me Gabby. I am from Staten Island, New York and am a sophomore at the University of Connecticut (UConn) in the Pre-Individualized Major. In simple terms, it is a “design your own” major. It allows me to take classes in Television and Media, Disability Studies, and Food Culture as well as other courses centered around my main focus. The reason these components are so important is that they explain the goal I have for my future. I want to host my own cooking show, where I advocate for disabilities and rare diseases, teach adaptive cooking techniques, and share my story. This will allow me to combine all the passions of my life. The reason this fundraiser is so important to me is that I have a rare genetic disease called Myofibrillar Myopathy (MFM). This is a low muscle tone condition that affects every muscle in my body. This will be my 7th year organizing a rare disease fundraiser. With love, support, and donations from my family, friends, and the community around me, we have raised more than $60,000 for the Global Genes Foundation!

To support this year's fundraiser, come join me and Chef Alessandra Ciuffo of Flavors by Ale for a virtual Cook-A-Long event where we will make Carbonara Pasta together!

For almost 4 years now, I have been running a cooking and advocacy blog on social media called Cooking on Wheels. Since then, I have started a cooking show at UConn, also called Cooking on Wheels. Additionally, I have been featured on the Rachael Ray Show (x2!) and in multiple news articles. The most important lesson that I have learned from my experience of living with MFM is if I was told there was a cure for it, some days, I would take that cure, but on most days, I would turn it down because I would never be able to have these AMAZING opportunities like having my fundraisers or sharing my love of cooking and advocacy with the world. Through these events and Cooking on Wheels, I hope to raise funds and awareness for those living with rare, genetic diseases. Remember, every effort helps. No donation is too small. Thank you for your continued love and support!

For more info about my current fundraisers and to join me on my cooking journey please follow cooking.on.wheels on Instagram, Tiktok, and Facebook. 

Click this link for all info about me:

https://linktr.ee/cookingonwheels