By Tom Waring
Times Staff Writer
As volunteer organizers planned a benefit for Alessa Abruzzo, they weren’t sure of the response.
Alessa, a 20-year-old from Pennypack, is diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD), also known as Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
Once the benefit was set for Sept. 15 at Maternity BVM parish hall, organizers started to promote the event. The response was overwhelming.
"The tickets sold out before it even hit the church bulletin," said Terry Abruzzo, Alessa’s mom. "We had a waiting list of people wanting to come."
The beef-and-beer fund-raiser netted $19,000 to help Alessa get the medical treatment she needs. The crowd included former teachers, distant relatives, old friends and total strangers.
"It was really amazing to see how many people came out," said Alessa, who is busy sending out thank you cards.
Alessa wasn’t the only winner that night. Many of the 400 people in attendance went home with some great raffle prizes, donated by local businesses, that were included in 125-plus gift baskets.
Though Alessa, who turns 21 on Saturday, faces some serious medical issues, the evening was festive.
The Coalhouse Walker Band donated its services. The guest of honor sat near the dance floor and stage as a long line formed to talk to her. She also addressed the roomful of people, thanking everyone for coming.
The young woman and her parents give credit for the great night to the 44-member volunteer organizing committee, made up of family and friends.
"They put their lives on hold so I could regain mine," Alessa said.
Alessa, whose story was first chronicled in the Times in June, was a senior honor student at Julia R. Masterman High School when her health began to fail in October 2003.
Five months later, she was diagnosed with RSD, a progressive disease of the autonomic nervous system that can follow a fall, sprain, break, fracture, sharp injury, infection or surgery.
By April 2005, she could no longer walk and began using a wheelchair. Since March of this year, she has been bedridden in the basement of her home.
Though Alessa looks healthy, she is in frequent pain and hurts at the slightest touch.
Alessa, who was adopted by Steve and Terry Abruzzo as an infant from South Korea, has a great attitude considering the circumstances. She was an active girl, serving as a Girl Scout and lector at Maternity BVM. She played the violin, took part in school plays, edited the school newspaper and loved to read, draw, garden, sew, cook and take care of her reptile collection. She planned to attend Temple University.
Dr. Robert Schwartzman, chief of neurology at Drexel University College of Medicine, diagnosed Alessa with RSD. He’s been treating patients with that diagnosis for 30 years.
For patients with pain throughout their body, like Alessa, Schwartzman recommends a radical medical procedure performed at a German hospital. Sufferers are given a high quantity of the drug ketamine and go into a coma for five days.
The procedure, which is not permitted in the United States, has been likened to rebooting a computer. The individual’s system is shut down for five days before being turned back on.
There is hope, since 13 of Schwartzman’s 33 patients who have undergone the procedure have been cured. The others have experienced a reduction in pain.
Already, Alessa has received neuro-psychological clearance to travel to Germany. She is awaiting clearance from a cardiologist before making the trip. She takes heart medication for shortness of breath, palpitations and tightness in the chest.
In addition, her family has to raise more money for the trip. The minimum charge for the hospital stay and other expenditures is $50,000. Insurance does not cover the expense.
Terry Abruzzo, noting that her daughter would be a senior in college if she had remained healthy, longs for the day when her daughter can do the things other young people do.
For now, the family likes to share as many laughs as possible.
"We try to make the best out of a bad situation," Terry Abruzzo said.
Alessa said she takes life one hour at a time. She is looking forward to her surgery.
"I would just like to get some semblance of a normal life," she said. "Even a reduction of pain would be great." ••
Tax-deductible donations can be sent to Alessa’s Reach for Recovery – RSD Fund, Citizens Bank, 2516 Welsh Road 19B-0248, Philadelphia, PA 19152.
For more information, visit Alessa’s Web site at www.reachforrecovery.net
Reporter Tom Waring can be reached at 215-354-3034 or twaring@phillynews.com