Mary Stuart Masterson hosted a fundraiser at the Owenego Inn in Branford, CT on September 22. It was on behalf of Samantha and Alexandria Bode, to help find a cure for Friedreich's ataxia, a devastating neurological disease.

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Masterson, who has starred in such movies as "Fried Green Tomatoes," "Bed of Roses," "Benny & Joon," and "Some Kind of Wonderful," was invited to host the event by Mary Caruso, whose daughters Sam and Alex have Friedreich's ataxia. For the past several years, Caruso and her committee have worked hard to put on their annual dinner / auction / dance with the help of the Owenego Inn.

In February, Caruso received a call from Masterson who was preparing her directorial debut in a movie [The Cake Eaters] that includes a child [Kristen Stewart] with Friedreich's ataxia. "When I found out it was Mary Stuart Masterson I had been communicating with I almost fell through the floor," said Caruso.

Caruso's daughters Sam and Alex went to New York City to meet with Masterson and answer questions about Friedreich's ataxia and were interviewed on tape. Masterson also arranged for them to attend some of the taping of the movie. "We have had a great time getting to know Mary Stuart," said Alex Bode.

Caruso says, "For ten years I have prayed that a well known celebrity would somehow help me with my efforts to raise money and lead to hope for a treatment for my girls. This is a very emotional year for me. Dream a Little Dream is certainly being answered by Mary Stuart being involved, maybe next year my dream will be answered with a treatment for Friedreich's ataxia!" Complete Article / Link 2