St. Bede hosts speaker on disorder

Thalassemia disease, a genetic blood disorder that if left untreated can take the lives children under 5, was the topic of a recent gathering of the St. Bede the Venerable Roman Catholic Church Branch 374 of the Italian Catholic Federation.

Laurice Compagno Levine, 42, a surviving victim of the disease and spokesperson for the Thalassemia Outreach Program of Children’s Hospital in Oakland traveled to La Cañada to present a program on her experiences as a victim of the disease. She told the local ICF members that the disease is a growing healthcare concern. She also noted that a blood test is available to detect the trait.

Branch 374 of ICF at St. Bede contributes funds to help the researchers at Children’s Hospital in Oakland conduct on going research to find a way to eliminate this disease. Work is also jointly underway at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Since the 1990s, the national organization of ICF has contributed more than $1.4 million from its many branches in districts in California, Nevada, Arizona and Chicago.

Levine is available to speak to any organization that wishes to know more about Thalassemia and can be reached at (510) 428-3885, Ext 5427.

In other ICF activities, Mark G. Mannarelli, a 27-year resident of La Cañada Flintridge was elected president of the local branch. Installation of officers and board members will take place on Feb. 8 at St. Francis Xavier Church in Burbank.

Other officers and directors elected last week are Ron Baisely, first vice president; Al Restivo, second vice president; Phyllis Harb, orator; Joseph Vinci, treasurer; Don Monteleone, financial secretary; David Carpurso, sentinel and Sherene De la Motte, corresponding secretary. Directors include Fiora Marcucci Murphy, Paul Clinnin and Connie Hockens. The Reverend Monsignor Antonio Caccipuoti, pastor at St. Bede, is branch chaplain and Archdiocesan director of the Italian Catholic Federation, ICF.