Laughter's his best medicine
Home News Tribune Online 05/6/07
By SUZANNE C. RUSSELL
STAFF WRITER
PERTH AMBOY ? Ralph Rosa can't help but laugh. The comedic one-liners from his family and friends, some at his expense, are practically unrelenting.
"That's what keeps me going," Rosa said.
But the laughter has a serious side.
"This is how Comedy for Cure was invented. They are all comedians," said Rosa.
Rosa, founder of the Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation, and his board of directors ? which includes his brother, Anthony Rosa, and good friends Ron Thal and Troy Ciccone ? are all organizing the 7th Comedy For Cure, a fundraising comedy show to benefit research for multiple sclerosis, the disease Rosa was diagnosed with 10 years ago.
The show will be held May 20 at Seabra's Armory Restaurant, 200 Front St., Perth Amboy. Festivities which include a professional funny caricaturist, buffet and a show beginning at 3:30 p.m. Dress is semiformal.
This year the show will feature three comedians. JJ Ramirez, who has appeared at The World Famous Comic Strip, The Improv and Caroline's on Broadway and in the movie "The Latin Legends of Comedy" will be the opening act. Also appearing will be Mitchell Walters, who has appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and has written for "Spin City," "Frazier," and "Laverne & Shirley." Ventriloquist Pete Michaels, who has appeared on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" and "Late Night at the Apollo" will be the headliner.
Rosa said he's always wanted to have a ventriloquist perform.
"This is unique," he said.
Ciccone said they try to get comedians who will appeal to many people.
"You want comedians who make it work," he said.
Anthony Rosa, 32, who along with his mother Elizabeth Rosa helps care for Ralph Rosa, said he is hoping for a really good turnout this year.
"We're trying harder this year to get support from local vendors. It's such a great event. It's so much fun. People don't realize how much fun it is until they go," he said.
Ralph Rosa, 34, who has a progressive form of multiple sclerosis which has taken away the use of his arms and legs and makes it difficult for him to talk, said the show wouldn't be possible without the help of his board of directors.
Anthony Rosa said the show provides motivation for his brother to get up each day and gives him something to look forward to.
"He does it on his own. He sends 80 e-mails. When Ralph wants something done, he lets you know about it," he said. "He keeps us in order." Anthony Rosa said every year when the show comes around it puts a lot of stress on his brother, and stress is not good for someone with multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease in which the immune system attacks the myelin sheath that insulates the nerves in the brain and spinal cord, preventing the nerves from communicating with the brain.
"I'm so proud of him. It's a lot, a lot of work. This is his job," Anthony Rosa said.
Ralph Rosa met Thal, known as "Bumblefoot," a guitarist with the rock band Guns N' Roses, in the early 1990s when Thal gave him guitar lessons in Edison. The two later played together in a band and have remained friends ever since.
Thal said Rosa's an inspirational guy and a great friend. He questioned why things happen to such good people but said maybe it's because good people will do something like organize fund-raisers to find a cure for the disease and help others.
"That's what I mean by true friends always there. He's always there, no matter what," Rosa said.
Anthony Rosa said Thal has been a role model for his brother who formerly played in a band that had a record deal.
"My brother's living the dream through Ron," said Anthony Rosa adding his brother has watched Thal in Gun N' Roses videos.
Ciccone has been friends with Anthony for 10 years and met Ralph through his brother. The three had a company together.
Ciccone said he didn't know much about multiple sclerosis, but he was impressed by Rosa.
"Ralph's the kind of guy you want to be his friend or his brother. He's always upbeat. I love him to death," said Ciccone, who especially proud that every dime of profit from the fund raiser goes to research.
"I do believe there will be a cure," he said.
About $10,000 to $15,000 has been raised with each the foundation's previous comedy fund raisers.
"We'd love to make more," Ralph Rosa said. This year's goal is to raise $20,000.
The board members are particularly pleased that Spotswood High School social studies teacher Frank Yusko is planning to attend. Yusko also has multiple sclerosis and annually hosts a volleyball game at the school to raise money to fight the disease.
Ralph Rosa said his health has deteriorated in the last year. Talking is difficult, but he tries to make up for it with his e-mails.
"That's all you can do, just have faith and hope. I know this is curable. I don't know how close we are, cause every year I'm getting worse, but they are trying," said Rosa who would like to see a cure during his lifetime.
Tickets for the show are priced at $85 each. Those interested in coming but unable to afford the full ticket price are asked to contact the organization online at
info@msrf.org.. Additional information may also be obtained from the Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation Inc. at
www.msrf.org.
Donations may be sent to the Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation Inc., P.O. Box 1284, Perth Amboy, NJ 08862
Story and photo here:
http://www.thnt.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070506/NEWS/705060474/1001
Author