About us
Established in 2002, Suneel's Light is a charitable foundation created to raise funds to fuel research for treatments and a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. DMD, a lethal genetic childhood disease, targets young boys without regard to ethnicity, and typically leads to death from respiratory or heart failure by their early 20s. Without a breakthrough in ongoing medical research and treatment, there is little hope that Suneel, and other children like him, will live to adulthood.
mission
The mission of Suneel's Light is to spread awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and raise funds to support treatments and find a cure for this deadly disease.
Vision
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To gain knowledge and stay connected
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To continue to raise funds to fuel our mission
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To be a player in the fight to find a cure
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To advance the best option for the boys
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To maintain credibility and stature locally, nationally and globally
BoarD of directors
Officers
Neera Gulati, MD
President
Kenneth Manning, Esq.
Vice President
Anita Ballow
Secretary
Thomas Maher, CPA, CPC
Treasurer
Directors
Cheryl Barrett
Gary Bichler
William Christ, Esq
Raju Gulati, MD
George Hajduczok, Esq.
Robert Jellinick
David Korzak
Chanel Maddigan, Esq
Richard Mazurchuk, MD
Karen Panzarella, PT, PhD, CHSE
Paul Richardson, CPA
Benjamin Roberts
Dennis Schrader
Steven Szymanski
Peter Vito
how we make a difference
12 local boys measured for robotic exoskeleton arms suffer from DMD
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) - Twelve local boys suffering with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) were measured for Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton arms (WREX).
The disease is a progressive weakness of muscles. While girls can carry the disease, it typically affects boys.
There is currently no cure, but the light weight exoskeleton device helps the person imitate normal human movements and improves their independence.
Our Liz Lewin profiled two boys who struggle with the disease. Their parents said their children have trouble with everyday tasks, such as brushing their teeth, eating, and writing.
The WREX arms are being donated by local non-profits, Suneel's Light Foundation and Glory Be To Kids.
See WKBW.com to watch interviews or @LizLewin7 on Twitter for more information.
WREX Arms: Life-Changing Devices for 12 WNY Boys
From Spectrum News, August 22, 2017
BUFFALO, N.Y. -- 12 boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy were fitted for life-changing devices in Buffalo Tuesday morning through donations from local organizations. Each boy was fitted for state of the art Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton arms, which utilize a system of rubber bands to eliminate the gravitational pull on the extremity.
The WREX arms improve the quality of life for the wearer, with most boys experiencing a range of motion that they had not had in years.
The donations were made in part by Suneel’s Light Foundation, along with Glory Be To Kids.
"It's been an extremely wonderful and inspiring experience to see boys who haven't been able to raise their arm off the armrest of the wheelchair for years, and now they're able to say 'high five' and wave to the crowd. But it's also everyday life, brushing your teeth, scratching your nose, fixing your glasses on your nose. Things that they've always needed assistance," said George Hajduczok, Suneel’s Light Foundation.
All 12 boys are set to receive the devices within the next few weeks, just in time for the start of the school year.
