Thinking About You, Bud...

My friend Domenic is enduring a lot of personal tragedy. His aunt, uncle, and young cousin were killed in a car accident in Scottsdale, Arizona. The only survivor was his 8-year old cousin Michael, who is currently battling for his life. The worst part of this tragedy is that the family did not have any insurance.

An account is being set up at Bank One to help out with Michael's medical expenses, and the expense for the funerals. If anyone wishes to donate to this worthwhile cause, send any donations to:

Michael Angelo's Fund
c/o Bank One
8999 E. Shea Blvd.
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Reference Account Number 689458016 in any correspondence...

Link to Story

Crash destroys caring Scottsdale family
By Blake Herzog, Tribune
Family members drove and flew to the 8-year-olds side as he lay in critical condition Sunday but his father, mother and brother were not among them.
Michael Angelo Cannatella is the only survivor of a onecar crash Saturday night on Loop 101 near Thomas Road. Parents Michael Cannatella, 37, and Alicia Cannatella, 35, of Scottsdale were pronounced dead at the scene. Brother Erik Scoggins, 15, Alicias son from a previous marriage and a freshman at Coronado High School, died later in the evening at Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn hospital. Catherine Addiego, the boys great-aunt, said Michael Angelo has severe brain damage, cant breathe on his own, and is on heavy pain medication at St. Josephs Hospital and Medical Center in Phoenix.
"If he lives the next 48 hours, its quite possible hell pull through," Catherine Addiego said. Michael Cannatella brought the family to Scottsdale three months ago so he could help out Addiego. It was nothing out of the ordinary for him. Eight years earlier, he took care of another aunt in Scottsdale, then returned to his native New Jersey to do the same for his mother, who was dying of cancer. "Whenever the family needed him to be there, he helped out. He was always there for his family," said Linda Shelton of Gilbert, Alicia Cannatellas sister. Michael Cannatella had picked up his wife after her second day of work at a Scottsdale Wal-Mart, and was heading to Addiegos, in her van. "They were going to come back to my house and have pizza with me," Addiego said. Instead, two Department of Public Safety officers showed up with a minister. "The minister prayed with me," she said. "He prayed for me and the family to have strength, and for Michael Angelo to pull through."
Witnesses told officials the van picked up speed before veering off the freeway and up an embankment. It rolled back down, crashed into the Thomas Road overpass, and rolled over. Department of Public Safety officer Frank Valenzuela said medical problems may have contributed to the crash, but officials must wait for autopsy results and interviews with relatives before determining what caused it. There are numerous relatives pulling for Michael Angelo. Alicia Cannatella was a Phoenix native and the youngest of 11 children, all now living in Arizona. Cousins have come out from New Jersey and are staying in a hotel near the hospital. Addiego said shes still trying to comprehend what happened. "Whenever I think about it, I start shaking uncontrollably, so I know Im not finished with it yet," she said.
The family had no insurance. An account has been set up at Bank One to help out with Michael Angelos medical costs, and expenses for the three funerals. The account number is 689458016.

Should you need more information before donating, please contact the reporter, Blake Herzog, at her email or by phone at 480-898-6816

We're pulling for the little guy, Dom. You know that if you need anything to let me know.