The TIMES of Huntington • Northport • East Northport
Cold Spring Harbor • lloyd Harbor • lloyd nECK • HalESitE • HUntington bay • grEEnlawn • CEntErport • aSHaroKEn • Eaton’S nECK • Fort Salonga–wESt Volume 12, No. 26
October 8, 2015
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STAC’s Member Artist Showcase opens also: ‘James and the giant peach’ at the Engeman, gilding the Coasts exhibit at the long island Museum
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photo by Victoria Espinoza
How i mEt your autHor: actor Jason segel applauds a 9-year-old girl in the audience of his book-signing who said she is
writing a book. segel was at Book revue to promote his second. read the full story on page a4.
Residents will not rest
Teen stays positive despite rare condition By Giselle Barkley
local opposition halts state’s plans for liE rest stop
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Photo by Giselle Barkley
eli Mollineaux smiles after receiving a proclamation from the town for his positive attitude and high spirit.
Rain or shine, teenager Eli Mollineaux always has a smile on his face — even as he battles a rare mitochondrial disease known as Pearson marrowpancreas syndrome. Last week, Suffolk County honored Eli for his sunny disposition despite his condition, with a proclamation. Now, the month of September is Mitochondrial Awareness month, and Suffolk County officials went a step further, calling the proclamation “Eli’s Law” in light of the Huntington native’s 14th birthday on Oct. 3. Eli’s birthday is yet another milestone for him, his family and their friends. “The lifespan for kids with Pearson’s is around 3 to 4 years old,” said Alyssa Mancuso, a
family friend of 10 years. “So the fact that Eli’s turning 14 is huge.” Children with the incurable Pearson marrow-pancreas syndrome have problems producing certain cells in their bone marrow that develop into different types of blood cells. Those problems stem from defects in the cells’ mitochondria. According to Eli’s mother, Ellen Mollineaux, the “mitochondria is [the] battery for cells and [Eli] is missing a big part of that battery.” Mollineaux remembers her son’s condition developing when he was a infant, as he was often sick and didn’t act like a typical child. “Cognitively, I knew he was there, but all of a sudden he was sleeping more and wasn’t playful,” Mollineaux said. “[He] always wanted to be held and Eli continued on page a5