Dana’s Angels Research Trust (DART) brought together hundreds friends and supporters for its second annual DART to the Finish charity walk held at Greenwich Point Park on October 5. The beautiful day was perfect for a walk along the shores of Long Island Sound and raised $125,000 for crucial research into the rare childhood disease, Niemann Pick type C, often referred to as “children’s Alzheimers.”
Dana’s Angels Research Trust was founded by Andrea and Phil Marella of Greenwich after two of their four children, Dana and Andrew, were diagnosed with Niemann Pick type C disease (NPC). Dana sadly passed away in 2013 at age 19. But Andrew, who just turned 20 in June, is faring better due to being enrolled in a clinical trial to slow or halt the progression of the disease. NPC is so rare that only about 500-600 children in the U.S. are affected and only a few, including Andrew, live in Connecticut. This devastating genetic disorder robs a child of the ability to live a long, healthy life, often becoming fatal in the teenage years. But, Dana’s Angels Research Trust is helping to change that fate. As a non-profit organization, DART raises funds to support pivotal NPC research — research that may also help millions suffering from Parkinson’s disease, HIV/Aids, Ebola, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer’s disease and other disorders that appear to be related to cholesterol.
Support of DART continues throughout the day with retailers and restaurants in Old Greenwich and Cos Cob supporting the cause and donating a portion of proceeds to the charity. The DART "Shop & Share” after the DART Walk participants are: Anna Banana, Sushi Soba, Lily, Housewarmings, Fred, Caren’s Cos Cobber, Claudette, and the Back 40 Mercantile.
DART to the Finish sponsors include The Children’s Hospital at Montefiore, Jusko Wealth Management Group, Landis Partners, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceauticals, Pepsico, Primary Home Care, Rand Insurance, Roosevelt Investments, Shipman & Goodwin, Bank Raiders, Threads & Treads, Costco, Shop Rite, Starbucks, Upper Crust Bagel Company, Chicken Joe’s and Chilly Bear.
To learn more about Dana’s Angels Research Trust (DART), visit danasangels.org, on Facebook @danasangels, Instagram @danasangelsNPC and Twitter @danasangels.