Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels

"'Not That Man Anymore' (A Message From Michael) " Now Available

" ... Not That Man Anymore," the new book put out by Zaz's widow Susan Hufford, is terrific. Basically, it's the journal Michael was keeping during his fight with ALS (there's some really fascinating insight into his last months at Guiding Light), interspersed with Susan's memories of the journey, and observations from close friends, co-workers and their two daughters.

It's an important and beautifully written work — an emotional gut-punch, yet funny and dishy and hugely spiritual. I went to see Michael just a couple of weeks before he died (though at that point we all thought he had several months, if not a year or more, left in him) and it was one of the most profound days of my life. The book brought it all back and I'm glad to have it as a memento of him. His fans can get it at Amazon.com or at iUniverse.com — it's SO worth it.

TV Guide's Michael Logan
Soap Sass, December 14, 2005

From Roxbury, With Hope
By Abigail Leab Martin
December 1, 2005
Litchfield County Times
www.countytimes.com

"It is a marvel when a person publicly carries out an act of courage, such as running into a burning building to save someone. But there are quieter acts of bravery that are not as noticeable, which we tend to take for granted. Anyone who has had a loved one face a debilitating disease knows the valor that those afflicted can display in the face of confronting their own mortality. But what about the person who cares for them, trying to ease their suffering before enduring loss? That is a truly unacknowledged kind of courage.

It is also a strength that Susan Hufford seems to have in abundance. After losing her husband of more than two decades to the neurodegenerative disease Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS, more commonly known as "Lou Gehrig's disease), the part-time Roxbury resident could have crumpled or she could have become bitter. Instead, she became even more determined to help raise awareness of ALS, and to raise funds to combat it.

Her first step was to take her talents as a writer and complete a book that her husband, the Emmy award-winning actor Michael Zaslow, began writing during his illness. The result, "Not That Man Anymore," is a chronicle of Mr. Zaslow's journey as he fought to defeat ALS, and it is both touching and inspirational.

Click here to read this article in its entirety.

“Not That Man Anymore” is available in bookstores nationwide, online at Amazon.com by clicking on this direct link: "Not That Man Anymore" -- ISPN # 595-34050-4 - or at www.notthatmananymore.com .

Michael Zaslow: The Warrior Returns
The Logan Report by Michael Logan
TV Guide, November 21-27, 2005

He died nearly seven years ago, but Guiding Light star Michael Zaslow is still fighting the good fight. His just-released memoir, Not That Man Anymore (iUniverse), chronicles the Emmy-winning actor's battle with ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's disease) and his fierce campaign to put the deadly nerve disorder in the public eye. "Michael kept a journal through the entire experience -- it was his dream to have it published," says Zaslow's widow, psychotherapist Susan Hufford, who co-wrote the unflinching tome. It's all there: Zaslow's cruel dismissal from GL, the medical ignorance and arrogance he encountered, the messy emotional toll ALS took on his family. But for all its stark pathos, the book is also full of Zaslow's wit and inspiring joie de vivre. It even ends on a warm metaphysical note -- a series of humorous "signs" Hufford believes Zaslow sent her after his passing. "That was Michael," she says. "In the midst of my grief, he had me laughing."

To read more about "Not That Man Anymore", click on the following links: Lynn Leahey interviewed Susan Hufford about the book in her column "Lynn's Lounge" in the November 22, 2005, issue of Soap Opera Weekly. Another article, "Not That Man Anymore", appeared in the December 6 issue of Soap Opera Digest.

Click here to read Michael Logan's article about Michael Zaslow, "Logan Crosses Over", which appeared in the September 27, 2005, issue of Soap Opera Digest.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Combining the pathos of “Tuesdays with Morrie” with the urgency of “Lorenzo’s Oil,” novelist Susan Hufford’s and Emmy award winning actor Michael Zaslow’s Not That Man Anymore, tells the affecting and timely story of Zaslow’s courageous battle against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease.)

Michael Zaslow, the charismatic and immensely popular “Roger Thorpe” of THE GUIDING LIGHT and “David Renaldi” of ABC’s ONE LIFE TO LIVE, was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) in the fall of 1997. Supported by his wife Susan, his daughters, friends – and fans – Michael raced against time to find a cure. In little more than a year Michael lost his life but his voice remains loud and clear.

Thanks in no small measure to Zaslow’s efforts, researchers are closer to a cure. Some of the world’s most distinguished scientists such as Ian Wilmut of Scotland, have designated ALS as their top priority. These medical pioneers believe that unlocking the mystery of ALS will lead to cures for closely related diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s disease.

In addition to being a published author, Hufford is a practicing psychotherapist, a National Trustee of the ALS Association and a knowledgeable advocate and fundraiser for ALS. With candor, humor and courage, Hufford recounts the constant battles with, and against, medical misinformation, bureaucratic arrogance and insurance industry roadblocks.

Told both from Zaslow’s and Hufford’s viewpoint, NOT THAT MAN ANYMORE , is interwoven with observations from friends, colleagues, doctors and fans who joined forces to unravel the mystery of ALS. NOT THAT MAN ANYMORE offers readers a unique perspective of not only illness but of the enduring power of love, which reaches beyond the boundaries of life, as we know it.

As one early reviewer has pointed out “Obviously I knew how it [the book] ended, but as I read I was completely mesmerized. This is a book that must be read.”

Email us at book@michaelzaslow.com if you have any questions or comments.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Michael and Susan met playing opposite each other in the Broadway production of “Fiddler on the Roof”. As the passionate revolutionary, Michael was a natural and Susan’s candor and humor brought Hodel’s daring into full bloom. The couple received great notices. They married five years later in 1975 and happily parented their two daughters, Marika and Helena. Read more ....

February 3, 2005

Dear Friends:

It is with great sadness that we report the recent untimely death of Helena Hufford-Zaslow, daughter of the late Michael Zaslow and Susan Hufford. We hope, in light of this tragedy, you will understand our decision to cancel the ZazAngels March 8th Jazz2005 event.

Susan Hufford, President of ZazAngels, has worked tirelessly, in memory of her husband Michael Zaslow, to raise funds for ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease) research. She has produced five highly successful theatrical benefits raising over $1 million to find a cure for this dreadful disease.

Through the support of ZazAngels and people like you, progressive and innovative research has been conducted in such areas as stem cell research, potential drug therapy, as well as biomarker research for early diagnosis. Susan's commitment to finding a cure and potential treatment for this disease has been an inspiration to all of us in the ALS community.

Although we are canceling this year's annual ZazAngels gala event, scientific researchers must continue their efforts to unravel the mysteries of ALS. Please consider a gift to ensure that these efforts are not interrupted. Checks can be made payable to Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels and sent to The ZazAngels Fund, 162 West 56th Street, Suite 405, New York, NY 10019.

As always, we are grateful for your caring support.

Sincerely,

Dorine Gordon
President, The ALS Association of Greater New York

"Celebrate we will, because life is short but sweet for certain ... "
-Dave Matthews-

One Life To Give:
Michael Zaslow Bravely Fought Lou Gehrig's Disease
People Magazine, December 21, 1998

In January 1998, Emmy Award winning actor Michael Zaslow joined friends and colleagues to form ZazAngels, dedicated to raising awareness and funds for ALS research. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a neuromuscular disease that robs people of their ability to speak, move and finally to breathe, while the mind remains unaffected. Michael succumbed to ALS on December 6, 1998, little more than a year after his official diagnosis.

ALS is not a rare disease. The incidence of ALS is about equal to Multiple Sclerosis, but because ALS is brutal and brief, there are fewer voices to advocate for treatment. However, ongoing scientific breakthroughs are bringing us closer to a cure for ALS and its sister diseases, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

With your generous support, Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels is funding research in the following high priority areas:

     -Environmental Factors
     -Discovery and Development of New Drugs and Treatment
     -Viral Factors in ALS
     -Stem Cells - Therapeutic Potential

Proceeds from ZazAngels' February 10, 2003 benefit, "Sing For A Cure", supported the work of Clive Svendsen, Ph.D. Dr. Svendsen is a highly noted researcher in the area of stem cell therapy and is associated with the Waisman Center, University of Wisconsin. The Waisman Center is home to stem cell pioneer James Thomson, Ph.D., who first isolated human embryonic stem cells. A Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation Grantee, Dr. Svendsen was recruited by The Lou Gehrig Challenge: Cure ALS Advisory Committee to apply his knowledge of stem cell research in Parkinson's disease to ALS.

ZazAngels remains committed to realizing Michael's goal of finding A CURE for ALS.   Tax-deductible contributions can be sent to Michael Zaslow's ZazAngels c/o The ZazAngels Fund, 162 West 56th Street, Suite 405, New York, NY 10019.

Michael's Dream Lives On:
Create Awareness, Find a Cure, Victory Over ALS!

January 25, 1999:
Love Letters For Michael
Alec Baldwin and Kim Zimmer lead an all-star lineup in paying tribute to Michael Zaslow.

April 10, 2000:
ZazAngels Presents "Tuesdays With Morrie"
Jerry Stiller, Vincent Irizarry and Kaity Tong star in a special stage adaptation of Mitch Albom's extraordinary and inspirational best-selling book.

May 1, 2000:
Love Letters of Hope
Kim Zimmer and Keir Dullea star in a special presentation of "Love Letters" at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington D.C.

May 6, 2001:
Meir Ribalow's "The Nature of the Universe"
Brian Dennehy and Blythe Danner star in Meir Ribalow's "The Nature of the Universe" at the Neil Simon Theater.

February 10, 2003:
ZazAngels "Sing For A Cure"on Broadway
ZazAngels' Fourth Annual Broadway Benefit was an all-star tribute to Richard Rodgers.

March 8, 2004:
"Let's Get Lucky! : Sing For A Cure"
ZazAngels' Fifth Annual Broadway Benefit

ALS Patients May Participate in Pilot Safety Trial of Cyberkinetics BrainGate Technology

-Study Investigates Safety, Feasibility of Controlling Computer by Thoughts
Roberta Friedman, PhD, ALSA Research Department Information Coordinator
-August 22,2005

ALS patients who have already lost some strength in their fingers and arms and who live within a two hours drive of Boston , Mass., may be able to participate in a pilot study of a brain device that is aimed to allow control of a computer with just one’s thoughts. The FDA-approved trial at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston will involve placing a sensor the size of a baby aspirin on the surface of the brain, with a single wire coming out to connect to other parts of the device that will sit on the scalp, sending more wires to the test machinery.

Cyberkinetics, the company that is testing the device with U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance through an Investigational Device Exemption, has shown that a person who was completely paralyzed in a motorcycle accident is able to move a computer cursor and flex fingers on a robotic hand with just thoughts. So far two people have been implanted with the device. Eventually the goal will be to have patients control robotic devices just by thoughts to allow better communication and self help with daily tasks. The implications for success of such a device would be profound for people who are paralyzed from trauma, stroke, or neurodegenerative disease such as ALS.

For more information about the BrainGate ALS trial please contact Leigh Hochberg, M.D., Ph.D., at (617) 726-4218 or lhochberg@partners.org.

For more information about ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease) please contact The ALS Association’s patient services at http://www.alsa.org/contact.cfm?recipient=patientservices.

INFORMATION ABOUT ALS CLUSTER RESEARCH IN CONNECTICUT

Pair seek proof of a cluster
Many ALS cases in Pomperaug area

Tuesday, November 26, 2002

By Chris Gardner
© 2002 Republican-American

There is still no proof of a cluster of Lou Gehrig's disease in western Connecticut, but Susan Hufford and Ray Chenkus remain suspicious.

Hufford, who lives part-time in Roxbury, and Chenkus, of Southbury, lost their spouses to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the fatal neuromuscular disorder that killed baseball great Lou Gehrig in 1941.

Eighteen months ago, they asked residents of western Connecticut to contact them if they knew someone who had ALS, a rare disease that affects two out of every 100,000 people in the United States.

CLICK HERE to read this article in its entirety.

Remembering Michael ...

Michael Zaslow was one of the most talented, charismatic and popular actors in daytime television history, and his absence is keenly felt. Three separate sections of this website are devoted to remembering Michael's years as Roger Thorpe (1971-80; 89-97), the Roger & Holly story, and the life and loves of David Renaldi, featuring David and Jenny's very romantic love story (1983-86; 1998). Each is a tribute to the special characters, scenes and stories Michael brought to life in his own inimitable, award-winning style. Each site is a work-in-progress, and is updated regularly. Just click on the banners below, and visit often. Your ideas, contributions, and requests are welcome! ThorpeRenaldi@michaelzaslow.com

Email us at zazangels@michaelzaslow.com

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