Augusto and Michaela Odone

Augusto And Michaela Odone

Augusto Daniel Odone (Rome, March 6, 1933) and Michaela Teresa Murphy Odone (January 10, 1939 – June 10, 2000) are the parents of Lorenzo Odone (May 29, 1978 – May 30, 2008), a child afflicted with the illness adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD). They became famous for discovering a treatment using Lorenzo's oil, for their son's incurable illness, and this quest was recounted in the film Lorenzo's Oil (1992). One of Augusto's other children is the journalist Cristina Odone.

In recognition of the parents' work, Augusto Odone has received an honorary doctorate from the University of Stirling. He continues to raise funds and drive the scientific task force known as The Myelin Project. Michaela Odone battled cancer for some time, and finally died of lung cancer at 61.

Lorenzo died the day after his 30th birthday. He was almost totally paralyzed but was, according to his father Augusto, "holding his own". He couldn't see, speak, or move on his own. He communicated by wiggling his fingers and blinking his eyes. His mind was intact and he enjoyed music and having people read to him. "Certainly, he has good days and bad days, he is bedridden and he cannot eat more than through a tube… but his mind is still there. He likes that we read to him, that we play music for him and he knows who is around him". He lived with his father in Virginia and was cared for by nurses and his family friend, Oumouri Hassane. In the summer of 2010 Augusto Odone moved to Acqui Terme, Italy, near his father's village of Gamalero where he lived when he was young.