Page 10 August 07

WOW! What a great response for our 2007 ALS 5K Walk. As of the moment, we have over 70 people who will joining us and walking to help those with ALS and their families.

We have most all of the De Luca families who will be there but we also have lots of Sergio's friends from the Corona Soccer programs as well as lots of old high school pals.

We also have lots of amazing friends and family of the De Luca sisters who will be with us supporting the Fighting Italians every step of the way.

Not only do we have our wonderful walkers but we have so many terrific people who can't be there but have made some great donations in out team's name. Our team's original goal was to raise $2000 but as of the first of October, we have nearly doubled that. And we will continue to raise as much as we possibly can up to the very day of the walk----- so please give to the ALS Walk.

This a 5K morning walk around a beautiful pond at Mason Regional park in Irvine. Interested? Contact Sonia at sonialiekhus@hotmail.com or call 714-255-0719 or check out the website:

It was a warm August afternoon when Kelly was driving home from work and the next thing she knew, she was inside of an ambulance with EMTs working on her. Kelly had blacked out while driving - hitting a couple of cars and doing a real number on her car as well as herself.

After a battery of test and a few days in the ICU/CCU, it was determined that Kelly is diabetic and didn't even know it. Her sugar levels were extremely off which sent her body into a shut down mode. She is now under doctors care to learn about how to take care of herself.

But it was only a couple of weeks later when, while trying to get a few things done and driving, Kelly started to feel very strange. Knowing a bit more about diabetes, she thought she should stop somewhere quickly and get some needed nutrition into her system. But while in line at the KFC drive thru, she once again had a seizer and blacked out. The next time she opened her eyes, she was in the emergency room!

With taking care of Sergio and the kids, as well as working at the dental office (which she really enjoys), Kelly has learned that she has to start making time and take care of herself as well. This will be an ongoing process.

She is doing fine now but there is still a lot of un-answered questions and work to be done. She is currently off work and hopes to be healthy enough to not only get back to work but get back to taking care of her family as well. And we all wish her the very best so she can be healthy for her self and her family.

A big giant thank you goes out to Donna Tice and her gang of "angels" for stepping up and organizing a dinner program for the family. She made a few calls and set up a nightly dinner drop off for the family so that would be one less thing Kelly has to worry about. And, WOW! The dinners have been nothing short of wonderful. Thank you to all those who have keep the family fed and happy though this trying time.

In December of 06, the Press Enterprise did an article about Sergio (you can click on the link EXTRA, EXTRA..... and read all about it).

It was the Picture Day 2007 for the Corona Soccer program and a reporter for the same newspaper was there to gather information for a story about the kids but also found a great story with Sergio. Sergio has decided to once again coach his daughter, Alyssa's under 16 girls soccer team. Even though he is in a wheelchair and has to use the Dynavox to communicate with his team and their families, he is there every step of the way with the help of his terrific assistant coach, Donna Tice.

Just remember- to be a winner at life- "It's not what you can't do but what you can do that really counts". And Sergio and his team "Yellow" proves that each and every time they step onto the soccer field.

To see the article, click on the link below and check out what it is all about.

Just want to share with you an email from Donna to my sister Norma about Sergio what he is all about..... (reprinted with the permission of Donna Tice)

Hi Norma-

I am sooooooo excited!!!! What a great night!!!!! We played a team that was 4-0. Anyway, at practice last night we hung out with the girls, talked and had cookies and candy....We talked with the girls before the game again tonight. Told them how much we wanted to win!!! That they all needed to play their hearts out....

THEY DID!!!!!! We won 2-0!!!!!!! I am so excited I can't stand it...So is your brother!!!

It was awesome when I picked up the family before the game, Kelly said she wished Serge had a game every day because he was in such a good mood today!

That's what it's all about!!!! That's why I wanted to coach with him!!!! I want Serge to have happy times!!!!

WHAT AN AWESOME NIGHT!!!!!!

He never used his Dynovox once...It was pretty hard for me to understand him but he talked and talked to the girls and he didn't care...We got it...

I know I am going on and on but I am so thrilled for your brother...Great night for him!!!!!

Love ya!!! Donna

Basically, I praise God for this time! Right before the season started, I sat sobbing with my husband...I told him, I was afraid...I was afraid of growing too attached to Serge and maybe this would be too hard because I am such an emotional person...Sonia, God has truly blessed me...He is giving me joyful times! I told my hubby last night that Serge feels like the brother I never had....Trust me, this whole thing is my pleasure and I am the one who is being rewarded!!!!

All the De Luca families want to thank you Donna, for your wonderful and caring heart- It truly means the world to us.

Donna is just one of many, many people who feel this way about Sergio. We are blessed to have you all in our lives and in our hearts. And a giant CONGRATS to the girls on their win. KEEP IT UP!!!

********************************************************************************

And just in the past week, the MDA has contacted Sergio to ask if they could do an article for the national MDA/ALS Newsmagazine. You will be see the final product when it comes out.

Sergio loves to see and hear from friends and relatives. You can always contact him via email at Delucaland@yahoo,com and let him know you want to stop by for a visit or that you are just thinking about him. That really means a lot to him.

And as always, check out the photo gallery for new photos of Sergio and all that goes on. Who knows, you just might find a picture of yourself somewhere in there....