Dennis' Fight Against ALS

In May of 2018 our good friend Dennis Ceruti received some of the worst news you can possibly imagine, he had been diagnosed with ALS, or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.  ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord.  It is a progressive disease, which means it gets worse over time. It affects nerves in your brain and spinal cord that control your muscles. As your muscles get weaker, it gets harder for you to walk, talk, eat, and breathe.  Today medication and therapy can slow ALS and reduce discomfort, but there's no cure.

As you can imagine the diagnosis was shocking to Dennis, his family and friends.  Since that day in May 2018, life has changed dramatically for Dennis, his wife Suzanne and their four amazing daughters.  There are countless changes they have had to make in their daily lives, new additions to the home to make it more handicap accessible, a new vehicle, a lift to help him get to the main living area, new accessible furniture and countless other changes that have become part of their new normal.

Dennis’ progression has accelerated recently and now more than ever the Ceruti Family can use our help.  The ironic thing is that for many of us Dennis has always been the go-to guy when you need a hand, no matter the task Dennis is always willing to help others.  ALS has not stopped him from doing that, just 6 months ago, Dennis inspired the first Annual fundraiser, Brewing a Cure 4 ALS.  This fundraiser was created to help raise money to find a cure for ALS.  Even as he was suffering, he was still thinking of others and he was able to raise over $145,000 for ALS research for the ALS Therapy Development Institute. 

Dennis has been a small business owner for over 20 years at Ceruti Electrical Corp, he is a proud man and has been resistant to any financial help thus far, his ask was always, donate to research, but we know he and his family need direct help as well and that time has come.  There are more expenses coming in the form of a new wheelchair, home health care needs, physical therapy, new technology to help with communication and even breathing may be required.  We are hopeful that as a community we can help raise enough money to reduce the financial burden that ALS can have on a family and allow the Cerrutis to not have to worry as much about that part of this fight. 

Dennis has done for others for years; the time has come where he needs our help and needs it fast.  ALS is an unforgiving disease and the progression will continue to accelerate.  Time is not on our side.

Dennis we are all so proud to call you our friend, nobody deserves to have to endure what you have over the last year and a half.  We are with you and your family through every step of this process and will do all we can to help you and them now and forever.  We will continue to hope and pray and raise money to find a cure, but this is for you.  We love you all!