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Golf Tournament to be Held for Lupus Awareness and Research

April 21, 2011

Golf Tournament to be Helf for Lupus Awareness and Research

Billerica, MA -- (WickedLocal.com) - Nearly three years ago Michelle Vozzella Rebidue succumbed to lupus at the age of 38. She left behind her husband David and “miracle baby” Russell, then only 3 years old, and many friends and relatives, among them her sister-in-law Cindy Rebidue. 

Michelle’s death hit her sister-in-law very hard. Cameron, Cindy’s son, was Michelle’s godson, and the two women shared a bond forged by marrying into a family with 12 siblings. After Michelle’s death Cindy quit her job, opened her own business, and became a fierce advocate for lupus awareness and research as she sought a way to honor her friend.  That is how Team Vozzy was born.  

On Friday, May 6, Team Vozzy’s Alliance for Lupus ResearchGolf Tournament will be held at Billerica Country Club.

What is the golf tournament all about?

It’s a fundraiser for lupus research which will be held at the Billerica Country Club on May 6, and we are looking for golfers and sponsors. You don’t have to be a good golfer, just someone who wants to have fun for a good cause.  I had never even golfed before I went to another tournament for lupus research!

We are also having a 50s, 60s, and 70s Dance at St. Michael’s in Lynn on April 23.      

How did you become involved in raising money for lupus research?

Almost three years ago, my sister-in-law, Michelle Vozzella Rebidue, lost her battle with lupus. She was only 38. We were very close - she and I married into a family with 12 children so we bonded. I went online and searched for a way to help cure this terrible disease, and saw that the Alliance for Lupus Research has an annual walk at Castle Island in Boston, so I signed up. What was once an idea of starting a fundraiser in Michelle’s memory has blossomed beyond anything I could have possibly imagined. I’m doing this now and I’ll be doing it in 30 years.

What made you choose ALR from the different groups trying to find a cure for lupus?

The ALR Walk with Us to Cure LupusWalkathon is a national event that changes lives and brings people together. It was started in 1999 by Woody Johnson, the CEO of Johnson and Johnson and also the owner of the New York Jets, when his daughter was diagnosed with lupus. Because the board of directors of ALR pays for all of the administrative and fundraising costs, 100 percent of all donations from the public goes directly to research.

Is it true that your group, Team Vozzy, really had 225 participants in last year’s Walkathon?

That’s one of the benefits of marrying into a family with 12 children. We are the number one team in the Boston walk, and in two years we’ve raised over $32,000. This year the Boston Bruins became corporate sponsors of the Boston Walk, and Nathan Horton is their representative. Radio station Mix 104.1 is another corporate sponsor. Michelle’s family, the Vozzellas, and her friends also walk.     

Michelle was a very special person. I think of her often and see that sweet smile she had for everyone.

What is the most important thing you want people to take away from reading this?

Awareness. It is estimated that about 1.4 million people in this country suffer from lupus. Lupus is an autoimmune disease, and nine out of ten people who have lupus are women. The disease usually strikes during the childbearing years. It is hard to diagnose, and symptoms mimic other diseases.

Come to our golf tournament and help us raise money and awareness. 

For information contact Cindy at 978-729-9930 or rebz@comcast.net or visit   www.lupusresearch.org/events/2011/team-vozzy-golf-tournament.html.
 

 



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