Community connects for cure

Challenged by a local boy’s rare disease, a small town comes together to raise $150,000 for Children’s Hospital Boston.

Before his diagnosis in July, 2003, Cole was an active, easygoing little boy who loved dirt bikes, and had a passion for ice hockey. When he got sick, his energy was in short supply and hockey games were replaced by hospital visits. Cole struggles every day with an incurable kidney disease known as Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS).

After more than a year of watching Cole endure various treatments, including daily 12-hour cycles of dialysis, his mom felt helpless. Though Kim Pasqualucci knew the doctors and nurses at Children’s Hospital Boston were doing everything they could, she also knew there was no cure.

“There’s nothing more important than your children’s health,” Kim says, expressing a sentiment shared by parents everywhere.

The illness had taken a toll on the entire family. Cole missed feeling well and playing with his friends on their Seahawks hockey team. Kim, her husband, Bob, and their daughter, Hannah (hugging Cole in photo, above right), found it difficult to see this once healthy child tiring so easily and unable to do things he so loved doing.

The Pasqualuccis decided they didn’t have to feel helpless—there was something they could do to move Children’s closer to a cure for FSGS. A group of friends and neighbors that became known as “The Cure for Cole Committee” helped the family organize and execute a walk, auction and raffle event.

“This was about getting the word out and showing people what they can do, if they have the time, to make a difference,” Kim explains.

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On June 18, 2005, the Pasqualucci family and nearly a thousand friends and neighbors from their hometown of Scituate, MA., and beyond, took a walk together. Not just any stroll around town, this walk had a purpose—raise awareness about FSGS and funds to find a cure.

Kim confesses, “This isn’t the way we wanted to become popular in our town, but we have a very supportive community.”

The auction and raffle event was held at the Scituate Raquet and Fitness Club. Boston meteorologist Mike Wankum emceed the festivities, which included live and silent auctions and a raffle with 300 items. And when all proceeds were tallied, Children’s received $150,000 toward a cure for Cole and other children who suffer with FSGS.

“We pray a lot. We pray for a miracle. We pray they find a cure for this disease,” Kim admits, with hope in her voice.

Today, despite a recent kidney transplant, Cole still struggles. But Children’s won’t give up, and neither will the Pasqualucci family…or the community they brought together.

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