{"id":57291,"date":"2025-12-01T16:34:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T16:34:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/57291\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T16:34:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T16:34:09","slug":"savor-the-cause-a-fundraiser-to-benefit-michaels-cause-raises-16k-for-muscular-dystrophy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/57291\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Savor the Cause,\u2019 a fundraiser to benefit Michael\u2019s Cause, raises 16K for muscular dystrophy"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 In the \u201cBig Heart\u201d department, Mike DiLeo, executive chef at Max\u2019s Esca, played host to \u201cSavor the Cause,\u201d a cocktail-style soiree to benefit Michael\u2019s Cause in the Dongan Hills dining spot.<\/p>\n

The gala that came replete with live music, gourmet food and high-style martinis, celebrated the fifth anniversary of Chef Mike giving back to the organization, which supports the fight against Duchenne muscular dystrophy.<\/p>\n

Inclusive of 150 guests, the sold-out event raised more than $16,000, which helps fund research to fight the progressive neuromuscular disorder that results in degeneration of all voluntary muscles.<\/p>\n

\"SavorFrom the left, Michael Capolongo, his parents, Theresa and Robert Capolongo, Chef Mike DiLeo and Assemblyman Mike Reilly. (Courtesy\/Anthony Serrantonio)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

Other food vendors on board that evening were Teps Truck Treats, Ralph\u2019s Sports Bar, Italianissimo Ristorante, Cantina Valencia, AR Dough, Desserts by Chrissy, Cake Pops, Renato\u2019s Bakery, Bang Cookies and merchandise tables by Ciao & Cello.<\/p>\n

Assemblyman Michael Reilly was also in attendance.<\/p>\n

Musical entertainment included performances by Isabella Francisco, Matty Boy Music an DJ DNYCE.<\/p>\n

\"SavorAt “Savor the Cause” to benefit Michael’s Cause at Max’s Esca are from the left, Jennifer Di Landro, Sal Zo, Kristin Falcone, chef Mike DiLeo, JoJo Scarlotta, Joe Scarlotta Sr., Nicky Scarlotta, and Danielle Cabral. (Courtesy\/Anthony Serrantonio)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

On tap were also special appearances by local cookbook author Danielle Caminiti, and influencers with names like \u201cThat Hair Dressa\u201d Kristin, known for her social media presence and variety show, comedian, Sal Zo, Danielle Cabral of \u201cThe Real Housewives of New Jersey,\u201d and the real-life comedy of the Scarlotta twins.<\/p>\n

\"SavorFrom the left, David Cavagnaro, Kristina Los, Mirelle Hiscock, Chef Mike DiLeo and Gabrielle Winters. (Courtesy\/Anthony Serrantonio)Staten Island Advance<\/p>\n

A LITTLE ABOUT MICHAEL <\/p>\n

After experiencing severe pain, Michael Capolongo was diagnosed with the disease when he was only 4 years-old in 2010.<\/p>\n

Three weeks and three specialists later, the Capolongos received the news that identified the disease.<\/p>\n

Michael, now 20, continues to maintain a magnetic personality \u2014 though he\u2019s endured more in past years than many have in a lifetime.<\/p>\n

Since then, Michael\u2019s parents, Theresa and Robert, have sought new therapies, treatments and specialists in order to help Michael. <\/p>\n

And although researchers have made strides over past years with steroid treatments, clinical trials, experimental drugs and supplements, a cure has not been found.<\/p>\n

Because scientific research is so expensive, private funding becomes vital to sustaining and advancing such critical studies. <\/p>\n

In 2011, the Capolongos founded Michael\u2019s Cause with the mission of promoting life-saving research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The couple intends to accomplish this by regularly hosting fundraising events. <\/p>\n

All proceeds are donated to the scientists and pharmaceutical companies to continue their DMD research.<\/p>\n

All donations are tax-deductible. Those interested in donating should visit michaelscause.org<\/p>\n

A LITTLE ABOUT DUCHENNE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY<\/p>\n

Those afflicted with Duchenne muscular dystrophy have an absence of a protein that strengthens muscle fibers and protects them from injury \u2014 with the progressive neuromuscular disorder resulting in degeneration of all voluntary muscles. The genetic disorder that involves rapidly worsening muscle weakness, is a recessive x-linked form of muscular dystrophy that results in muscle degeneration and difficulty walking, and breathing. The ratio of those affected is one in 3,500 boys worldwide.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 In the \u201cBig Heart\u201d department, Mike DiLeo, executive chef at Max\u2019s Esca, played host…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":57292,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[9,24,63,134,136,135],"class_list":{"0":"post-57291","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-staten-island","8":"tag-new-york","9":"tag-new-york-city","10":"tag-nyc","11":"tag-staten-island","12":"tag-staten-island-headlines","13":"tag-staten-island-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57291\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}