Spinal Muscular Atrophy is a motor neuron disease and the number one genetic cause of death for infants under 2. Currently, there’s no cure or treatment for it.
Secaucus resident Paulina Recalde lost her son Daniel Cevallos at 7 months and 16 days old to SMA. Recalde and her other son, Leonardo Rubio, who is 17 and doesn’t have the disease, are inspired to raise money to fight it.
For the past four years the family has teamed up with the Mary Immaculate Council Knights of Columbus and the Catholic Daughters of the Americas for a meatball contest in which all proceeds go toward Cure SMA. Cure SMA is dedicated to the treatment and cure of SMA.
The meatball contest took place on Saturday April 30 at the Immaculate Conception Church gym. The ticket price included all-you-can-eat meatballs, pasta, salad, and beverages.
Secaucus resident Paulina Recalde lost her son Daniel Cevallos at 7 months and 16 days old.
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Aside from donations made by ticket purchases, attendees also enjoyed $2 face painting and a chance to donate any amount and win prizes.
The first prize winner, Luis Fernandez, has been participating in this contest for four years, and finally won the $100 prize.
Catholic Daughters of the Americas donated over 20 gifts for the tricky tray. They also had help from Recalde to put together store or restaurant gift cards for a 50/50 raffle. Guests bought tricky tray or 50/50 raffle tickets at the door as another donation to Cure SMA.
At the end of the night the total raised was $5,000.
Recalde said at the end of the event, “I do it in memory of my son. There’s no day that goes by that I don’t think of him.” She said she started this event after her son was diagnosed with SMA in Florida, and she’s been in contact with Cure SMA ever since.
After the event, Rubio said, “I’d like to thank everyone who came. We need help to find a cure.”
Samantha Meyers can be reached at samantham@hudsonreporter.com .