East River Energy Unveils Fourth "Hope" Truck and Continues "Fueling the Hope"

New Haven, CT, September 09, 2014 --(PR.com)-- On September 4, 2014, East River Energy unveiled the decal on its fourth oil truck at a reception at 401 Soundview Road, Guilford for its "Fueling the Hope" family of vehicles - 'Dystonia Moves Me' to raise awareness for dystonia.

Chris Velardi, WTNH TV acted as master of ceremonies. Special guests included Jonathan Slifka, Governor's Liason to the Disabled Community, State of Connecticut, Tricia, Sullivan and Connor Bono, Dystonia Moves Me; Jack, Jean & Brian Kelly of Brian's Hope; Melanie DiNicola, CFMS Fund; Jeff, Sarah and Kate Canavan, The Kate Foundation for Rett Syndrome Research.

Since its beginning in 1984, East River Energy has annually supported countless organizations, personally became involved in mentoring programs, youth and sports teams throughout the area and helped the Shoreline area police and fire departments as part of their community commitment and involvement. They are also a corporate sponsor to the Soundview Family YMCA in Branford. For the past 16 years, East River Energy has donated to the Hammerfest Triathlon to benefit Brian's Hope. Concurrently, East River Energy has also been a proud supporter of the CFMS Fund and The Kate Foundation to benefit Rett Syndrome. In 2013, East River Energy's added decals of these three organizations to their oil delivery trucks and service vehicles to bring awareness and emphasize the importance of these worthy causes.

The "HOPE" Trucks
"We are committed to our local communities and do whatever we can to help," said Don Herzog, President and CEO of East River Energy. "We all have some kind of connection with these organizations, either a personal relationship with someone afflicted or knowledge of someone battling a disease. It is essential to be socially responsible as a business partner and corporate citizen, particularly in the towns where we conduct business," he added. "We will continue "Fueling the Hope" by raising awareness and promoting hope."

Dystonia
Dystonia is a disorder characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that cause slow repetitive movements or abnormal postures. The movements may be painful, and some individuals with dystonia may have a tremor or other neurologic features. There are several different forms of dystonia that may affect only one muscle, groups of muscles, or muscles throughout the body. Some forms of dystonia are genetic but the cause for the majority of cases is not known.

Brian's Hope
Unknown to his family, Shoreline resident Brian Kelly was born with adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), a hereditary disease of the central nervous system. This rare disease manifests itself in boys in early childhood. The boys are born missing an enzyme that breaks down long-chain fatty acids that eventually build up and lead to a process that destroys myelin in the body. Brian lost his sight, speech and ambulation at the age of 7, but continues to have a keen sense of hearing. He is confined to a wheelchair. Brian received the missing enzyme from his older brother Patrick through a bone marrow transplant and continues to do well and remain rather stable.

Until now, diagnosis has relied on the identification of an affected individual and then the systematic testing of the extended family. However, recent developments promise earlier, broader detection of the disease.

CFMS Fund
The CF & MS Fund Foundation Inc. is dedicated to raising funds and awareness in the fight against Cystic Fibrosis and Multiple Sclerosis. The commitment to these two non-affiliated diseases began many years ago from a personal family connection to each disease. Today that commitment has evolved into a successful donor based, non-profit organization. Since the CFMS Fund's inception in 2009 they have donated more than 1.4 million dollars to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. These two nationally recognized organizations, over a century old combined, are ranked among the top non-profits in the United States. Together they are improving and extending the lives of those living with CF and MS. CFMS Fund raises money through unique, five-star events, retail purchase add-on campaigns, letter campaigns, and various community building events.

The Kate Foundation for Rett Syndrome Research
Rett syndrome is a neurological disorder and the most physically disabling of the autism spectrum disorders. After normal early development, girls with Rett syndrome lose the ability to speak and begin to have difficulty with motor control around 6-18 months of age. They often lose functional use of the hands when characteristic hand movements begin. The onset of this period of regression is sometimes sudden. Other early symptoms may include problems crawling or walking and diminished eye contact.

The course of Rett Syndrome, including the age of onset and the severity of symptoms, varies from child to child. Hypotonia (loss of muscle tone) is usually the first symptom. The loss of functional use of the hands is followed by compulsive hand movements such as wringing and washing. Other symptoms may include seizures, disordered breathing, irregular sleep patterns, and scoliosis.