A friend of a young Calgary woman battling a rare disease is hoping her efforts will help find a cure.
Mariarosa Martino has Neimann-Pick disease which is a genetic metabolic disorder that is usually fatal.
"There would probably be six or eight children alive in Canada with this condition," says Dr. Robin Casey from the Alberta Children's Hospital.
The disease means cells are not able to breakdown a complex lipid which in turn accumulates in the cells and causes enlargement of the liver and spleen. In some cases it can cause brain damage.
For Martino her prognosis is good because the disease has not yet reached her lungs. But Neimann-Pick is progressive, it has no treatment and there is no cure.
A friend of Martino decided to enter a video contest with a $10,000 prize. The contest is asking entrants to nominate people who inspire you.
Marchella Marfica says she had no choice but to nominate Martino. "If anything goes wrong she always has an open ear and I find that especially astounding because she has so many of her own problems but she'll never hesitate to listen to yours," says Marfica.
"It's overwhelming. It's a beautiful feeling to know that I have all these people in my life who love me and care for me," says Martino.
Marfica says if she wins, she will give the grand prize money to the Neimann-Pick Foundation.
For more information on Neimann-Pick disease and the contest, click on the appropriate link to the right.
