On June 19th, 2014, FD Now will host its 12th Annual David Z. Herman Memorial Dinner at the Sephardic Temple in Cedarhurst, NY.  This year’s dinner will celebrate the life of Philip Bach, a’h, the 27 year-old son of North Woodmere residents Mindy & David Bach.  Philip suffered from Familial Dysautonomia (FD), a progressive, neurological, “Ashkenazi” genetic disease that is inherited like Tay Sachs.  FD is present at birth and effects all internal bodily functions. Like many older patients with FD, Philip never ate by mouth and never knew the pleasure of taste. He was fed through a tube in his stomach because he was unable to swallow. But, Philip refused to succumb emotionally or spiritually to the disease. Instead, he chose to fill his life with exuberance and love. He insisted that the disease made him special.

Unfortunately, Philip was born with FD long before the recent medical advances made by Drs. Berish Rubin and Sylvia Anderson at the Laboratory for FD Research at Fordham University. Their discoveries helped to ease some of Philip’s symptoms, but they were not able to reverse the damage that had already been done. FD Now is an organization that is solely committed to the financial support of the FD Lab, whose researchers will stop at nothing until a cure is found.

This year’s keynote speaker, Mrs. Hadassah Lieberman, wife of the former U.S.  Senator, has dedicated her life to the advocacy and advancement of health issues. Mrs. Lieberman is the ideal advocate to help spread community awareness of the disease and to solicit community support to find a cure.

Also featured at this year’s event will be a wine tasting sponsored by Royal Wines and the Herzog Family of Wines, a jewelry boutique by Agi’s Accessories, a silent auction of memorabilia and a fantastic raffle.  For more information, please contact Tara Schimmel (mom to 9 year old with FD) at 516-236-0022 taraschimmel@yahoo.com or visit our website www.fdnow.org.

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