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The Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation (HNF) is a non-profit 501(c)3 dedicated to finding a cure for Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) while providing support and services for those living with CMT and their families.
HNF promotes and supports both clinical and primary CMT research. We are also actively committed to increasing awareness of the disease through all available media outlets, including print, radio and television as well as fundraising programs. While our members give a face to CMT, HNF provides a strong, organizational voice to those living with CMT all over the world.
 HNF will continue to educate physicians, along with the entire medical community about CMT. We will also continue our pledge to become the definitive information outlet for the general public about this important, often misunderstood disease. Our innovative, highly proactive website is committed to presenting up-to-date information, resources, support, international discussion forums, Q & A’s, along with numerous helpful products and services that are available to individuals living with CMT.
Our President, Allison T. Moore founded the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation upon learning of her sudden onset of CMT, which was brought on after she received a chemotherapy agent (Vincristine) that is toxic and contraindicated for people with CMT or for those with a family history of CMT. Allison is dedicated to raising significant funds that will lead the way to a cure for CMT.
HNF is supported by a wide cross-section of medical experts, researchers, professionals who work with the disabled, and a huge network of individuals and families from all walks of life. We are governed by our Board of Directors comprised of a dedicated group of professionals, each of whom offers a strong commitment to supporting HNF, our vision, mission and operational platform.
“There is no medicine like hope, no incentive so great, no tonic as powerful as the expectation of what tomorrow can bring forth.” HNF Board
Allison Moore, President and Founder of HNF, divides her time between her homes in Manhattan and Amagansett, NY, with her husband, Robert, and her two young sons. Moore founded HNF in 2001 after a hospital mishap in which she was treated with medications that exacerbated her CMT symptoms and made her legs weak and imbalanced. Her goal was to create one of the best storehouses of information about CMT in the country and also to raise awareness of CMT to both the general public and to medical professionals.
 Paul Craco is an attorney, living and working on Long Island, in New York. His areas of practice include litigation, corporate/business formation, commercial contracts and real estate. Paul has helped form a number of not-for-profit entities, both large and small. He is also a long-time board member of the Huntington YMCA. Paul and Allison Moore were high school friends, who became reacquainted at a reunion. Impressed by Allison’s commitment and inspired by her infectious attitude, Paul gladly volunteered to help in her cause.
 Richard L. Sharpe, of Locust Valley, NY, is Allison Moore’s father and has worked as a champion of CMT patients for years, previously serving as the President of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association in Pennsylvania. The President of R.H. Sharpe, Ltd., Sharpe has been in broadcasting for more than 40 years. His involvement in the fight against CMT is a family affair. Suffering from CMT himself, Sharpe says, “CMT is very much in my family. Two of my four children and I have CMT. I feel very confident that the HNF Board has a viable plan to make a difference in the battle against hereditary neuropathies.” Currently, Sharpe serves as Treasurer at HNF and contributes to fundraising and special events, most recently serving as Golf Chairman for the First Annual HNF Outing in September 2006.
 Maria Eftimiades has worked for People magazine for 18 years, most recently as a national correspondent. Previously, she served as the magazine's New York Bureau Chief for seven years. She has written five true crime books, published by St. Martin's Press, and has freelanced for The New York Times, the Daily News, and Time Magazine. Maria was an adjunct journalism professor for the Columbia University School of Journalism for two years. She lives in New York City and in Sag Harbor, New York.
 Emmanuel (Michael) Loucas, M.D., is a Medical and Cosmetic Dermatologist with a private practice, Alpha Aesthetic Dermatology and Laser Center, on New York’s Park Avenue since 1995. His hospital affiliations include Mount Sinai Hospital and Lenox Hill Hospitals in New York City. Loucas’ affiliation with HNF dates back seven years to when he first met Allison and Robert Moore. “We met through my wife, Marguerite Loucas, who has been lifelong friends with Allison. We soon became great friends and knew of Allison's dream of forming HNF. I thought it was a great cause and knew we could affect many lives in so many positive ways.” Although Loucas does not have a Hereditary Neuropathy, he does suffer from a significant orthopedic condition that requires him to wear a brace on his right ankle everyday of his life. He says, “This has even made me more passionate for the cause.”
Maryann Nigrelli-Canal brings a strong financial background and commitment to the cause as HNF’s newest board member. Formerly Vice President of the United Savings Bank in Philadephia from 1985 - 1993, she is now a current Board Member and is serving as a member of the audit and salaries committee of that institution. Maryann had never heard of CMT until her son, Michael, was diagnosed with the disease at 3 years old. Although CMT is often hereditary, Michael’s case was the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation. Since Michael’s diagnosis, Maryann has been dedicated to working for treatments and a cure, bringing her passion and enthusiasm to HNF and its work. Maryann lives in Cherry Hill with her husband, Mario, and their children, Alexandra, Matthew, and Michael.
 Maria Scarduzio, of Havertown, PA, is the owner of Cuz'N Company Salon & Spa. She says, “Being on the Board of Directors of HNF touches my heart because I feel I am part of something that could help people—especially children—with neuropathies." CMT is a huge part of Scarduzio’s life, as her husband, daughter and son all have it. She explains: “It wasn't until I met Allison Moore, and saw her acceptance of this disease in her life, her passion for awareness, treatment and cure, and her compassion and selflessness, that I realized I needed to come out of hiding and do something for the good of all people suffering. Allison takes everyone under her wing, and I am honored to be part of HNF and its goals.”
HNF Staff 
Teresa Eickel, Executive Director, has worked with nonprofits for the past eight years. In 1998, she was the co-founder of the Inter-Religious Eco-Justice Network, an environmental organization that worked within the religious community. During her time with IREJN, Terri worked as the political liaison for a clean-air campaign, educating people of faith in the state of Connecticut on effective advocacy and environmental awareness. In addition to the legislative campaign, she created educational materials and successfully wrote grant proposals to support the group’s work. Terri also worked for the Toxics Action Center, testifying at the local and state level and organizing Connecticut residents to become active on air-quality issues. Since moving to New York City, Terri has continued to volunteer on issues that matter to her - she recently participated in a NYC roundtable on enviromental issues and she volunteers regularly at a homeless shelter in midtown Manhattan. She has been working with HNF since January 2006. She is thrilled to be on the frontlines in the battle against CMT and is dedicated to raising awareness, funding research, and finding a CURE!  Mary London, Membership Director/Office Manager, recently graduated from Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT, with a focus in Feminist Gender and Sexuality Studies (formerly Women's Studies) and Psychology. She is originally from Philadelphia, PA and has recently moved to New York City to join forces with the Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation, coming on board as an office manager/membership director. She is a political activist, passionate about supporting the spread of knowledge as a way to empower those with an often-misunderstood disease. She is especially excited about the ways in which HNF gives a voice to those with CMT. She will be running the new office and managing memberships. Christy Casamassima, Managing Editor, of Westport CT, has worked as a writer and editor for numerous publications and is the former special sections editor at New York Magazine. A longtime friend of HNF Founder Allison Moore, Colasurdo began working with HNF at its inception, because she saw how CMT was affecting Moore, and she wanted to help spread the word about hereditary neuropathies to a wider audience. She says, "I've known Allison since the second grade, and I am in awe of what she has accomplished in terms of raising the profile of CMT and hereditary neuropathies. In a few short years, she has forged an alliance with a major hospital to create a specialized CMT clinic and she has managed to launch a comprehensive website to help people with hereditary neuropathies find answers about how to cope with and treat their disease. Allison is just hitting her stride with the foundation, and it is gratifying to play a part in it."
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