Marissa’s Gift to the Future of ALS Research

Marissa was a spitfire. She was diagnosed at 30 and passed away at 32, just a few weeks shy of her 33rd birthday. In her short life, she traveled extensively. While an undergrad at ASU, she went to New Zealand and Fiji to work with locals in the restoration of services (she was a Global Health Major). She then did her junior year as an exchange student at the University of Sussex in Brighton, England. She spent her entire year there, then went on to the National Health Service and experienced medicine in a not-for-profit environment.

While there, she traveled to France, Germany, and the Netherlands and met an incredible group of friends with whom she would have the remainder of her life.

Marissa was a huge advocate of women’s rights and supporting animal rights causes. After diagnosis, she actively participated in research and trials, knowing she would not necessarily be the beneficiary, but to help others. In the end, she donated her brain and spinal cord to ALS research. 

After her death, I was privileged to hear from so many others how important she was to their lives as a friend, counselor, and sister.

I continue to honor her by supporting the ALS community as a volunteer and advocate, carrying on the torch for her.

Submitted by Marissa’s mother, Lou 

Learn more about brain and spinal cord donation

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