Friends of Lynn’s Mazareas to rally

LYNN – Former School Committee member and athlete George Mazareas has battled the debilitating disease ALS for the past four years.The disease, also known as Lou Gehrig?s disease, slowly attacks the body?s nerve cells that control voluntary muscles, affecting a person?s ability to move, speak, eat and breathe.Despite the deteriorating illness, friends and family members say the disorder has not impinged on Mazareas? spirit and positive outlook on life.Celebrating Mazareas? continued strength and courage, the third annual “Gathering of Friends to benefit ALS” fundraiser will be held Nov. 3 from 7-11 p.m. at the Nahant Country Club.Organized by a group of Mazareas? friends, his wife Cynthia said both friends and well-wishers look forward to the event every year to catch up with George and spend some time with him.?George was and is still well known for being someone who cares about the city of Lynn,” she said. “He?s a highly respected individual, and people really like to wish him well at the event. He?s been very positive along the way.”While Mazareas? health has declined to the point where he relies on a ventilator and is completely paralyzed, Cynthia said George remains jovial and is in good spirits.?George is very disabled at this point, but the disease has not affected his cognitive ability,” she said. “He?s able to communicate freely using his computer and he?s on email all day long. He even composed a few songs last summer and is working on one for our 5-year-old daughter, Eleni.”Communicating via email, Mazareas expressed gratitude toward everyone involved in coordinating the event.?The event has come to symbolize many things for me, all of them equally important: generosity, community, support, positive energy, opportunity and hope, to name a few,” he said. “The generous love and unconditional love, compassion and support that the entire community has shown me and my family during my battle with ALS are very deeply appreciated and will never be forgotten.”To date, Cynthia said the events, combined with other fund raising efforts in George?s name have raised over $465,000 for ALS research.Funds from the event are donated to the Angel Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting Neuromuscular Research at Massachusetts General Hospital.?The first year?s turnout was incredible, the second year even better and we are anticipating that this year?s event will be as successful as the previous two were,” George said. The event will feature food from Kowloon, Brother?s Deli and numerous platters from local roast beef restaurants.A live and silent auction with auctioneer Barton Hyte will take place, with assorted prizes including sporting event packages with limo rides and hotel stays.City Council President Timothy Phelan, member of the Friends Committee and George?s close friend, said Mazareas is an all around good guy from a good family.?We?re hoping to get a large turnout for a great cause and a great guy,” he said. Tickets for the event are $25.Aside from the upcoming event, Cynthia said a second larger-scale event to benefit ALS is also in the works, entitled “Angels over Boston” which would take place in the fall or winter of 2008 at Boston University?s Agannis Arena.?We?re trying to secure well known musicians and comedians such as Aerosmith, and the J. Geils band,” she said. “George?s goal is to raise $1 million through the new event, so we?re hoping to spark significant interest.” Corporate sponsors interested in the event can contact Mazareas at [email protected]