BEVERLY — Friends of a Beverly man diagnosed with ALS are organizing a fundraiser on behalf of him and his family.
The event, called “Mugs for Mike,” will benefit Mike Marcinkowski, who at the age of 53 was recently diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The fundraiser is scheduled for May 23 from 6-11 p.m. at the Italian Community Center in Beverly. It will include the chance to win gift cards and merchandise donated by local sponsors.
John Frates, one of the organizers, said the fundraiser will help Marcinkowski’s family deal with the range of expenses caused by the disease, including medical bills, equipment and home modifications.
Frates is the father of Pete Frates, the Beverly man who inspired the Ice Bucket Challenge that raised millions of dollars for ALS research. Pete Frates died in 2019 at age 34.
John Frates said he was introduced to Marcinkowski through Paul LeBel, a mutual friend who is organizing the fundraiser.
“I met the (Marcinkowski) family in January and I have to say he’s now part of our family too,” John Frates said. “You automatically have to say that you love that person because this is a man given a terminal diagnosis.”
Frates said “Mugs for Mike” is modeled on the “Pints for Pete” events that were held for Pete Frates. He said he’s hoping that people who came out to support Pete will do the same for Marcinkowski.
ALS is a progressive neurological disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, leading to paralysis. There is no cure. Marcinkowski was diagnosed with bulbar-onset ALS, which primarily affects muscles in the face, head and neck and is considered one of the most devastating variants of ALS, according to the National Institutes for Health.
For more information on “Mugs for Mike” or to donate, go to www.gofundme.com/f/donate-to-help-mike-marcinkowski.
Staff Writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@northofboston.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.
