2017:
Dear Friends and Family,

It’s the time of year that I like to give you an update on Justin and ask that you consider a year-end tax-deductible contribution to assist with ongoing rehab expenses, which are not covered by medical insurance.

As you probably know, Justin has been attending a rehabilitation program called Journey Forward since they opened in January 2008. He has made tremendous progress as you can see from the photo. His intense desire, determination, and dedication were rewarded in 2015 when he received the “3D’s” Award for those attributes. Although he has not seen increased movement in his extremities, he continues to improve his core strength which assists in his positioning when in the bed or wheelchair. We follow developments at Invivo Therapeutics in Cambridge, the Miami Project, research at Rutgers, research on spinal cord regeneration in marine life at Woods Hole, and the University of California at San Diego. We continue to be hopeful about a stem cell transplant with matrix and scaffolding. There will probably not be one “magic bullet” but a number of modalities that will work concurrently.

We see a clinical trial for Justin in the near future and this is all due to Justin’s hard work at Journey Forward and his use of the standing frame and electrical stimulation bike at home. Because so many people have supported Justin emotionally and financially, he has moved forward. He is back at Berklee College of Music majoring (online) in music business. He is expected to graduate in May 2018. I live with him, and his courage continues to amaze me every day.

To assist with these expenses, a fundraising campaign has been established in honor of Justin Graceffa with Help Hope Live, a trusted nonprofit organization that has been providing community-based fundraising guidance to help patients and families in need for more than 30 years. All donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law and are held by Help Hope Live in the Northeast Catastrophic Injury Fund in honor of Justin Graceffa. Donations are allocated by Help Hope Live based on financial need for medical expenses. If you would like to make an end-of-year tax deductible contribution, please click the Give button.

Your support would be tremendously appreciated. My unending gratitude and best wishes to you.

Thank you,
Dolores (Dee) Russo