Piggott Times: Local News: Alonzo pens book to raise funds for implant (09/03/09)

Holly Alonzo with her son Isaiah and husband Edward.
[Click to enlarge]

Holly Alonzo of Piggott has had her share of battles in life, and at age 22 continues to face burdens that would cause many to lose hope. But Alonzo, who has battled neurofibromatosis-2 since she was five years old, refuses to give up, despite blindness and now the onset of deafness. The young wife and mother has written her life story in a book in hopes of raising enough money for an auditory brainstem implant that will preserve her ability to communicate.

Her story, "Never Giving Up Hope," begins when she was five and chronicles the difficulties she experienced prior to being diagnosed with the disease, a chromosomal defect that causes the growth of benign tumors that impede the central nervous system.

At age 13 doctors at the Arkansas Children's Hospital found numerous tumors, with the largest compressing Holly's brainstem, and made the diagnosis. Days later the mass was removed, but when Holly awoke she was unable to see, "I thought my life was over that day," she remembered.

But Holly persevered, and despite losing her sight, her balance and enduring countless surgeries tried to live as normal life as possible. More recently tumors caused her to lose the hearing in one ear, and now the hearing in her other ear is being threatened by yet another tumor.

After being turned down by Medicaid, Holly began to try to raise the $30,000 needed for the implant. And after countless raffles, and collecting numerous donations, she found that she was only one-fourth of the way to her goal. That's when Holly decided to write the book she had long considered.

"The ABI is critical for Holly's communication," noted neurologist Dr. Rick A. Friedman of the House Clinic in Los Angeles. According to Alonzo, Friedman, along with neurosurgeon Marc. S. Schwartz, M.D., have offered to do the surgery without charge and the St. Vincent Medical Center has agreed to waive their charges as well. "I am motivated because of my commitment to helping people in need," Friedman said of the effort.

Holly, the mother of two-year-old Isaiah, also had other reasons for writing the book, "I wanted to help, educate and inspire others with my story," she noted.

The Piggott Public Library will be hosting a book signing by Holly from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 19. Copies of the book also will be available for purchase at that time. Those wanting more information on the book, or making a donation to the cause, may visit www.hollyalonzo.com or may email her at holly@hollyalonzo.com Those wanting more information on the book signing may call the Piggott Public Library at 870-598-3666.