Upcoming Events

Michael Zaslow Honored By ALSA-NY

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Following his ALS diagnosis in November 1997, Michael Zaslow (with co-star and fellow ALS advocate Brynn Thayer) was welcomed home to daytime television by ABC-TV and "One Life To Live". In April 1998, Michael returned to the role he'd played from 1983-86, concert pianist David Renaldi, now a man stricken with ALS. "Michael put a face on ALS when he appeared on 'One Life To Live' as someone living with the disease," states Dorine Gordon, President of the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter. On October 24, 2000, Michael's contributions to the cause of ALS awareness were recognized when he was posthumously honored with the Jacob Javits Lifetime Achievement Award at the 6th Annual Lou Gehrig Sports Awards Benefit held at the Marriott Marquis in New York City. Other honorees for the evening included Muhammad Ali, Johnny Bench and Don Larsen.

Open Letter From Brynn Thayer

Dear Friends,

On behalf of ZazAngels and The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, I would like to thank all of you for your extraordinary support and generosity. Because of you, we continue to keep Michael Zaslow's dream alive -- Finding a Cure for ALS.

We are thrilled to report that some of the money raised this past year and a half will go to fund a research project conducted by Dr. Flint Beal at Cornell University. The study is entitled, "Assessment of Novel Therapeutic Strategies in ALS Transgenic Mice." Your support gives encouragement to our outstanding physicians and scientists who constantly strive to find the treatment and the cure for devastating neurological diseases.

Michael's courage is a lesson for us all. His zest for life, his love for children, his constant fight for the underdog, his friendship -- these are only a few of the things I miss. With your help, we will carry on Michael's fight and make his dream a reality.

Many thanks.

Brynn Thayer
July 1999

"Life is a chronicle of friendship. Friends create the world anew each day. Without their loving care, courage would not suffice to keep hearts strong for life." -- Helen Keller

A Note of Thanks and Update
From Susan Hufford

Dear ZazAngels and PALS, Friends and Fans of Michael,

This is a long overdue personal note of deep appreciation for your loyal support during the past two very difficult years. If you don't know, you should, that your cards, letters, thoughts and prayers meant so much to Michael and to me and Marika and Helena. I always told Michael he had the greatest, most interesting fans. You have each proved me right. There is no way our family can express how much this meant to Michael or how much it means to us. I had intended to put this message out some time ago, and I hope you will understand (and know you will!) that I have been "swamped" , both emotionally , physically, with work, and with the ongoing fight to find A CURE BY 2000. Helena successfully made it through her first bout with sleepaway camp. Marika has been working this summer and now we are all going to take a much needed couple of weeks off. ZazAngels is alive and well and moving ahead! I'm going to give you a brief update of upcoming events:
October 24, 1999:
Michael is receiving an honor in Los Angeles for his work on behalf of those with disabilities. I (and hopefully our children) will be on hand to accept.
November 21, 1999:
The Caira family is generously sponsoring a repeat of the incredible fundraising benefit held last year at The Reception House in Flushing, NY. Like last year's Sunday afternoon fete, there will be a number of daytime stars on hand. We'll post the latest information here as it becomes available. Ron Raines (Alan, Guiding Light) is scheduled to host. For details call 718-463-1600. We hope to fill the house like we did last year!
January 31, 2000:
ZazAngels' benefit presentation of "Love Letters" in January at the Golden Theatre was such a success that we are doing another theatrical evening, this time at the fabulous Broadway theatre, The Brooks Atkinson Theatre. And we are thrilled to have been given the rights to the FIRST THEATRICAL PRESENTATION of "TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE" by MITCH ALBOM. We are negotiating with two BIG stars and if we manage to get them on board, we will be ecstatic and you will be too. This year we also hope to offer an online tie-in for those of you who are unable to come to New York City in the middle of winter! We'll keep you updated.
Be on the lookout for a ZAZANGELS' CD ! We have a producer for a CD which will feature some of the many musically talented daytime actors. We're really excited about this, and we'll keep you informed on this project too.
May 1, 2000:
ZazAngels, in collaboration with the ALS Association of Greater New York and the ALS Association of Washington D.C., will present a "revival" of the highly successful play "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney with a special benefit performance at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington DC. We hope to see those of you in the D.C. vicinity.

Soon, very soon, I hope, we will be offering some memorabilia in an on-line ZazAngels auction. What would you like to see? We welcome your suggestions in all areas! Again, thank you for your continuing support.

Gratefully,

Susan Hufford
August 1999
shufford@michaelzaslow.com