Story
Michael Ardito is a 15 year old high school student on a mission. For the last 4 years his goal has been to raise awareness and money for research to find a cure for Hereditary Angioedema. Both his step dad, John Harrington and his sister Kati Harrington have HAE. Michael has witnessed the swelling, the pain, and the life threatening dangers that this disease produces.
Effecting between 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000, HAE is considered a rare genetic disease. But to those suffering from it and those witnessing it first hand, “rare” doesn’t matter. The episodes of edema striking various body parts without warning are beyond painful and have the potential to be life-threatening.
Knowing this, watching this, the family made a decision to take action against the suffering. They knew HAE needed a cure. Four years ago, along with his mom, Nicole, and his younger brother Chris, Michael participated in a family triathlon. The goal was to raise awareness and money for a cure. Since the triathlon Michael has continued to work to raise awareness.
Michael’s quest for awareness and funding for a cure took him to new heights (or depths) when he swam across the Boston Harbor in the 2014 Boston Sharkfest Swim. Not wanting to rest on his laurels, Michael is taking the plunge into the cold waters of the Boston Harbor again this year!
On September 19th, 2015 he will again swim across the harbor while participating in this years Boston Sharkfest Swim. This year Michael is joined by friends Alex Cresanti, Zach Connolly and Jordyn Sommo. We are very excited to have these teenagers join Michael in this swim for HAE.
Raising awareness and donations is his goal!! He will be swimming for a cure for John and Kati and for all those individuals and families who suffer from HAE.
Please support Michael as he takes on the challenge of the Boston Sharkfest Swim for the 2nd year in a row!!
Where will the money go?
Proceeds go to the US Hereditary Angioedema Association. “The HAEA is a non-profit patient advocacy organization dedicated to serving angioedema patients. The HAEA provides HAE patients and their families with a support network and a wide range of services including physician referrals, and individualized patient support. Their goal is to increase awareness of Hereditary Angioedema by providing patients and physicians with authoritative and readily accessible information. They are committed to advancing and conducting clinical research designed to improve the lives of HAE patients and ultimately a cure.” https://www.haea.org/
What is HAE?
Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) is a rare, debilitating and potentially fatal genetic disease resulting from a deficiency of a key plasma protein. Patients suffer from unpredictable attacks of swelling that involves the hands, feet, abdomen, face, and airway. Abdominal swelling involves excruciating pain and vomiting that can last up to 72 hours. Airway attacks constitute a major medical emergency that can lead to death by suffocation. Despite the availability of new medicines and progress made in HAE advocacy and education, preventable HAE-related deaths continue to occur, and many patients still suffer from disabling attacks. To find out more, check out www.haea.org
Stay Tuned!!
Keep visiting our "update" tab to see pictures and comments from our swimmers as they take the plunge for a cure.
Visit the "activity" tab to view our comprehensive list of generous supporters!
