Making strides to improve a life

Thalia Piacquadio of Merrick recently rallied friends and relatives in support of her 4-year-old daughter, Gabriella, who was diagnosed last year with osteogenesis imperfecta, a disease that causes brittle and easily broken bones.

More than 200 people showed up for the second annual Making Stride for Better Bones: Long Island walk at Cedar Creek Park in Seaford on Oct. 24, raising $20,000 for the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, an organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by the disease through research to find treatments and a cure, education, awareness, and mutual support. "Team Piacquadio" raised nearly $8,000.

"As Gabriella's parents, our biggest goal is to raise awareness and help raise funds in hopes to find a cure for Gabriella and other children who have this diagnosis," Piacquadio said.

Gabriella was diagnosed after sustaining a slew of injuries at young age. She fractured her tibia two times before the age of 2. Five months later, Gabriella suffered a spiral fracture from her knee to her ankle by stepping on a toy. She remained fracture-free for 18 months before sustaining a fracture to her arm.

But, according to Piacquadio, Gabriella is a strong kid. "She's had a few toe fractures this past summer, but never complained," she said.

To learn more about the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, visit www.oif.org.