Pietros Fight, the nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness and funds to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), welcomed more than 600 guests to their seventh annual fundraiser raising more than $250,000.
The event held at El Caribe Country Club in Brooklyn honored lawyer Sal Strazzullo with the ‘Cure Fighter Award’ and Nick Raineri with the Ultimate Fighter Award, for their long-term support of Pietro and the Scarso family.
Pietro’s Fight was founded by Manni and Dayna Scarso in 2012 after the couple learned the devastating news that their then-three-year-old son Pietro was diagnosed with DMD – the most common and lethal childhood genetic disorder in the world affecting one in every 3,500 male births. The mission of Pietro’s Fight is to increase worldwide awareness of DMD, with the purpose of raising and appropriating funds for research that will realize a cure for this fatal disease and ensure that children like Pietro have the opportunity to enjoy a full life.
Celebrating Pietro’s 10th birthday, a video featured testimonial from Manni and Dayna as well as good wishes from former NHL player Kevin Weekes, NCAAM Mississippi Bulldogs player Aric Homan, and NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal.
Pietro Scarso then made his entrance, alongside his brother Nico Scarso, to applause and cheers. He thanked everyone for attending and said that he was happy to be there.
Members of the New Jersey cast of The Jersey Boys performed a selection of the band’s greatest hits, before winners of the raffle items, which included a 2019 Honda Accord donated by Bay Ridge Honda, were announced. Rappers Fatman Scoop and Chubb Rock then performed.
Through their fundraising Pietro’s Fight has funded multiple research projects selected by the foundations Director of Research Dr. Carlo Rago.
Pictured:
Sal Strazzullo, Dayna & Manny Scarso, Allison Strazzullo
Pietro Scarso, Nico Scarso