Support Stefano Guidi to deal with MND / ALS

Just before the birth of his first child Matteo, my friend Stefano Guidi was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of MND / ALS otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, which causes the death of neurons and results in muscular atrophy. He will have difficulty speaking, swallowing and eventually breathing. Stefano has been given two years to live.

The news was a terrible shock. This passionate Italian wine maker and beautiful family man had only recently moved to NZ to create a new life with his talented wife, the New Zealand soprano Anna Leese.

This is a devastating blow for a new family. Already Stefano has severely reduced working hours and faces many frightening challenges ahead. These challenges will require great emotional, physical and financial support.

Stefano is investigating treatment programmes but the reality of this terrible disease is a swift decline in physical capability. Donations will allow Stefano some freedom to make the most of life, especially while he is physically able and help support his family.

While we can't always help with the day to day support, we can give a little, or a lot to help this family out. Stefano and Anna are both proud and generous people who have given great pleasure to others through their gifts. And now we've a chance to return the favour when they need us most.

Please help Karyn, Natalie, Madeleine and I show our love and support for Stefano.

This page has been created with the permission of Stefano and Anna

If you'd like to know more about ALS/MND then there are some great resources available on both the NZ and UK MND Association websites (links below).

http://www.mnda.org.nz/about-mnd.asp?about

http://www.mndassociation.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/an-introduction-to-mnd-a5-booklet-web.pdf?6c4e80

It's a terrible disease that has no cure, so the best thing we can all do is love and support Stefano and his family to make the most of their time together just now.