Angels over Boston
The Angel Fund for ALS Research has many wonderful supporters who continue to work in many ways to find a treatment and cure for ALS. Those special people are researchers, patients, caregivers and donors who we are blessed to have in our Angel Fund family and are with us in our fight against ALS.
The Angel Fund for ALS Research supports researchers at UMass Chan Medical School. for the tireless efforts they put forth to find a treatment and cure for ALS.
Our most recent Angel Over Boston researcher is Webb Camille.
Webb Camille is an MD/Ph.D. student at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. He attended Salem State University for his undergraduate education, where he obtained a Bachelor’s in science, majoring in Biology with a concentration in biomedical science and a minor in chemistry. Prior to medical school, he gained many skills through research, clinical exposure, and team services. He researched ciliopathies, partook in the surgical services internship, played rugby, and worked multiple other jobs. Since medical school matriculation, Webb has completed two years of medical school courses and passed the step 1 board exam. Outside his medical school studies, he has engaged in many non-profit organizations such as Student Government, Pillar Prep, and OneLeaf Corp.
He is currently working on his research thesis under the guidance of Dr. Zuoshang Xu and Dr. Paul Thompson. His research focuses on protein citrullination, a post-translation modification, in ALS. He conducts biochemical experiments to gain insights regarding the roles of citrullination in this disease progression and whether the alterations of citrullination can be a biomarker for the disease.
Read Webb Camille’s most recent research update: Alteration of protein citrullination and its effects on protein function in ALS
An Angel Over Boston
Barbara Mahoney
Barbara Mahoney was a friend of our original Angel, Ginny DelVecchio and worked to begin the MA Chapter of the ALS Association. Barbara was a true ALS warrior working with the ALS Association as Patient Services Coordinator for over 20 years. She passed away recently and we wanted to honor her as an Angel over Boston.
Barbara’s husband was diagnosed with ALS in 1988. Not knowing what ALS was, Barbara was searching for help/support for her husband and family. At that time, there wasn’t any help for families and patients. This led to Barbara and her family to Ginny DelVecchio. The first support groups and board meetings were held in Ginny’s living room before their offices in Wakefield in Dedham. Barbara was always the first person most ALS patients and caregivers spoke with when contacting the chapter. She became attached to the patients and caregivers creating a special bond.
Judy Teplo, Barbara’s dearest friend and Director of Patient and Caregiver Services, said “people we’re just drawn to her. If you knew Barbara for five minutes or 50 years, she always made you feel like a close friend. I’ve known Barbara for over 30 years and that relationship was one of the most important relationships I have ever had. She was truly a “one-of-a-kind.”
