Monroeville Catholic school alum visits students, fundraises for cystic fibrosis

Michael DeSabato isn’t new to fundraising.

Monroeville’s Bella Capelli Academy cosmetology school, owned by his parents, actively supports Jeremiah’s Place – Pittsburgh’s only free, crisis nursery providing emergency childcare for families in need.

And DeSabato is a franchise owner of the Strip District day spa Clean Your Dirty Face, which also does its fair share of raising money for local charities.

DeSabato is a 2011 graduate of St. Bernadette School, which merged with Monroeville’s only other Catholic school, North American Martyrs, in January 2020 to become Divine Mercy Academy. For high school, DeSabato went on Pittsburgh’s Central Catholic – where he’s also coached soccer for the past five years. He then graduated from Washington and Jefferson in 2019 with a degree in chemistry.

DeSabato met with Divine Mercy Academy middle schoolers last month to discuss being a person of faith and the positive effects a Catholic education has had on his life.

“I’m super blessed for everything this school has given me,” he said. “The fact that your parents chose Divine Mercy Academy for you, you’re already set up for success.”

In addition to the benefits of a private education, DeSabato brought awareness to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the impact of community donations and the importance of giving back to those in need.

This year, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Western PA Chapter is celebrating 30 years of Pittsburgh’s 50 Finest — a group of local business leaders who are selected for their community service and commitment to professional growth. DeSabato was among those selected this year.

Cystic Fibrosis Foundation tasks these young Pittsburghers with fundraising for and bringing attention to cystic fibrosis. Bella Capelli Academy and Clean Your Dirty Face are currently involved in fundraising efforts for the foundation.

“It has really been amazing to learn about cystic fibrosis and those affected by it,” DeSabato said.

Cystic fibrosis is a progressive hereditary disease that damages the lungs and digestive system. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the condition causes mucus to build up in the body, damaging a patient’s lungs and pancreas. Those with cystic fibrosis can have difficulty breathing and can get frequent infections.

Approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. have cystic fibrosis. Although there is no cure, treatment options are available. Management can include clearing a person’s airways, medication or a special diet.

DeSabato referred to cystic fibrosis as a “hidden illness,” since you can’t readily tell if someone has the condition by looking at them.

“These kids are prepping for their day before you guys even wake up,” DeSabato said. Patients may do breathing exercises, use oxygen or use a therapeutic vest which helps loosen sticky mucus in the lungs or airways.

While conducting researching, DeSabato met Sydney, a New Yorker with cystic fibrosis who graduated from cosmetology school. While in school, Sydney was on the waiting list for a double lung transplant; at that time, her lung function was at 20% percent.

The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, with help from the cystic fibrosis community, has furthered the development of over a dozen treatments.

“The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation helped develop a drug that increased Sydney’s lung functioning to 45%,” DeSabato told Divine Mercy Academy students.

About 97% of funds raised for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation goes to research.

“Their overhead is very small,” DeSabato said.

Out of the 50 Finest Pittsburgher’s, DeSabato presently has the second highest amount of money raised – just under $15,000 – for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. His goal is $20,000.

“Michael reached out to us to help with this endeavor, so we had a charity dress down day on Sept. 18 to benefit the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” marketing and admissions manager Rachel McGuire said. “For a minimum donation of $5 – more is always greatly appreciated – students may dress down.”

“We raised over $600 just for dressing down,” Principal Nikole Laubham added.

According to finest.cff.org, 60 years ago, children with cystic fibrosis typically didn’t live long enough to attend elementary school. But because of foundation-supported research, the median survival age is now 50 years old.

The foundation’s vision is “a cure for every person with cystic fibrosis – a life free from the burden of this disease – and we will not leave anyone behind.”

To learn more about cystic fibrosis and the foundation, visit www.cff.org.