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The ALS Hope Foundation was the recipient of Toms River High School South's third annual Dance For A Cause, which was held Wednesday. From left: Beth Miller, Amanda Anderson, Alex Bridges and Samantha Donini perform during the fundraiser. (STAFF PHOTOS: ROBERT WARD)


They danced to fight disease
Teacher who died of ALS is motivation
By HARTRIONO B. • SASTROWARDOYO • TOMS RIVER BUREAU • January 18, 2008

In addition to dancers from Toms River High School South, performers from Island Heights' Shore Ballet School also appeared at the event.


TOMS RIVER — Linda Paladino, who taught gifted and talented students at West Dover Elementary in the Toms River Regional school district, was diagnosed � and ultimately died � from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease.




But her former students, like 17-year-old Marisa Hauenstein, wanted to do something to honor their teacher, and help fight the disease at the same time.

That's why, students say, the Philadelphia-based ALS Hope Foundation was the recipient of Toms River High School South's third annual Dance For A Cause, which was held Wednesday. It was a way to honor Paladino, who also taught at the district's Pine Beach Elementary School.

"ALS robs your body of the ability to move. There's something poetic about battling ALS by dancing," said Jeffrey Deitch, ALS Hope Foundation's managing director.

More people die each year from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, more familiarly known as ALS, than from multiple sclerosis or Huntington's disease, according to the ALS Association's Web site.

Though there have been many ALS fundraising events � ranging from a grass-roots carnival in Sea Bright held this past November, planned and run by children, to a plunge held annually in Manasquan � there is still a need for fundraisers, Deitch said.

"While ALS is considered a rare disease, it doesn't get a lot of attention from the National Institute of Health, so it just doesn't make the news as does cancer or AIDS," Deitch said.

He added: "At the same time, you'll find someone who knows someone who has ALS, so it's not as rare as it seems. Still, there's not that much NIH money for ALS, so we're dependent on fundraisers for both research and care (of those who have ALS)."

Hauenstein, of Toms River, who is now the senior class president, had been a student in Paladino's gifted and talented class at West Dover Elementary. She and Samantha Donini, the class' vice president, co-directed the fundraiser, which raised about $1,800, according to a preliminary accounting Thursday afternoon. Hauenstein said she expected that total to increase with people still sending in donations.

"I feel very good, very happy at the outcome," said Donini, 17, of Toms River.

High School South students did the choreography and arrangements, including a tap interpretation of Avril Lavigne's "Girlfriend" and a lyrical dance of "Hands Up" by Black Eyed Peas. Colbie Caillat's "Battle," choreographed and performed by Donini, was done to commemorate those battling ALS.

Dancers from the school took part, with performers from Island Heights' Shore Ballet School also appearing at the event.

"We're very excited for the kids to be involved in a fundraiser," said Chrissy Starr, Shore Ballet director.

Last year, a few dancers participated in High School South's previous Dance For A Cause. This year, about 20 students did so, presenting a little bit of everything � tap, jazz, and ballet numbers included.

Other people around the Shore are doing what they can to raise money for various ALS organizations. On Sunday, Kaitlin Hoesch, a 21-year-old junior at Montclair State University and a Manchester resident, ran in the Walt Disney World marathon in Florida, to raise money for the ALS Association, Greater New York chapter. On Feb. 9, a Valentine Plunge will be held to benefit local individuals with ALS.

Hoesch, who ran even though she had injured her calf muscles, secured sponsors for her run, which she did in memory of her grandfather Stephen Klisch, who died from ALS in April 2004. As of Wednesday, she raised $3,680 of her $4,000 goal.

"It took a little longer but I did it," Hoesch said, adding, "I'm absolutely proud of the money I raised, and I'm already looking forward to next year."

Hoesch said she plans on participating in the Goofy's Race and a Half Challenge at Walt Disney World � a half-marathon one day and a full 26-mile marathon the following day � possibly to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Hartriono B. Sastrowardoyo: (732) 557-5705 or harts@app.com
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art...801180432/1070



Samantha Donini, 17, of Toms River High School South, co-directed the event, which raised about $1,800, according to preliminary reports Thursday afternoon.

"Lou Gehrig's disease"
ALS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is more familiarly referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease" because of the baseball player's association with the neurodegenerative disease, which cut short his career.

ALS affects nerve cells in the brain and in the spinal cord, causing the brain to lose the ability to control muscles, which can lead to paralysis.

There is no cure or treatment that halts or reverses ALS.

In 1938, after more than a dozen years of playing, Gehrig's batting average fell below .300 for the first time, and it was noticed he wasn't playing at his usual strength.

The following year, doctors diagnosed him with ALS, and Gehrig died from the disease on June 2, 1941.

A Valentine Plunge, to benefit local individuals with ALS, will be held Feb. 9 in Manasquan.

Call (732) 528-5666 for more information, including how to register.

In addition, the Joan Dancy and People With ALS support group meets at 6:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month at Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank.

Call (732) 450-2677 for more information.

On the Web
ALS Hope Foundation
ALS Association
Toms River High School South
Valentine Plunge
Firstgiving: Kaitlin Hoesch's pledge page