by Stacey Paretti Rase

Three years ago, 29-year-old Beth Crutcher Giacone was a vibrant young woman. A graduate of the LSU Health Sciences Center, she worked as a physical therapist in the outpatient department at Slidell Memorial Hospital. When not at work, she devoted most of her time to her toddler, Joshua, and her husband, Bryan. She and her family lived in the quaint town of Madisonville, not far from the neighborhood where she grew up, and she enjoyed scores of activities with her wide circle of friends. Many would say that she lived a charmed life. But all of that changed in the summer of 2003.

That was when she began experiencing diminished coordination in her right hand, which later progressed to weakness in her left hand and leg. She had involuntary muscle twitches, and began to notice decreased muscle tone in her left arm and calf. Frustratingly, she began loosing her balance and was having a difficult time with even the most basic functions. Looking for answers, she traveled to Baylor Medical Center in Houston, where she was evaluated and diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS or Lou Gherig’s disease. Beth’s entire life changed on that day.

ALS is a neurodegenerative disease that usually attacks both upper and lower motor neurons and causes degeneration in the brain and spinal cord. It eventually destroys the voluntary and involuntary muscles throughout the body. Over time, Beth may lose the ability to walk, drive, eat, speak or even breathe independently. The average life expectancy of a person diagnosed with ALS is only two to five years. Although the cause of ALS is not completely understood, the last decade has brought a wealth of new scientific understanding about the disease that provides hope for the future. New drugs are being introduced in clinical trials, and Beth has hopes that some of these newer drugs may increase her chance for survival. She travels to Houston every three to six months for doctors to monitor the progress of her illness. While she and her family are optimistic, the painful truth is that treatment does not come cheap. During the last stages of the disease, her family will spend as much as $200,000 per year to fight it.

Beth’s family and friends were not about to let that figure get in the way of pursuing treatment, and Project Red Light was formed—a foundation to raise money for the Giacone family’s medical expenses. The group chose their name to remind supporters to “stop in the name of hope.”

Project Red Light’s most successful fundraiser to date, The New Hope Gala, took place on New Year’s Eve. In May, the organization plans to hold its 2nd Annual Project Red Light Fashion Show, which incorporates an auction of high-end designer pieces that are donated by supporters. Last year’s show, organized by community activist Karen Ryan, offered an impressive selection of fashionable auction items, including nearly-new designer dresses, Chanel sunglasses, Gucci purses, mink coats and jackets, and even jewelry. “It was wonderful!” says this year’s event chairperson Tara Dragon, who is currently pursuing items for donation. “It’s a three-day event, and will feature an auctioneer, great music, and wine for a festive atmosphere. It’s just one way that we can give back to our friend who has been so loving and generous to us over the years.”

The date of Project Red Light’s fashion show was not available at the time of this printing. For more information, or to donate items for the auction, contact Dragon at 778-3151.