After 17 years in prison for eight counts of attempted murder of a police officer, Michael Guglielmo became the country’s most successful bone-marrow recruiter in an effort to save his dying son.
Normally, being ambitious is a good thing—that is, unless you channel it toward hitting rock bottom. An archetype for misplaced ambition, a young Michael Guglielmo never did anything halfway.
In 1985, enraged by the loss of his newborn child, Guglielmo went on a cocaine- and alcohol-fueled rampage. After breaking into the home of the Manchester, New Hampshire, drug dealer he intended to kill, the 23-year-old soon found the place surrounded by a SWAT team. Over the next five hours, he fired over 200 machine-gun rounds before running out of ammunition and, finally, surrendering.
“Ever since I was a kid,” Guglielmo told the Boston Herald in 2008, “my vision of the ideal death was to go out in a blaze of gunfire, like in the old James Cagney movies,” he says. “This was just the coup de grace.”
Some people need to land in prison before they can get control of their life. Michael Guglielmo is one of those people—but he’s not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, reformed ex-con.
In prison, where he would spend the next 17 years, Guglielmo discovered a passion for law. He got his GED, then a bachelor’s in paralegal science through Ohio University, then a master’s in political philosophy through California State University. He sent his thesis to the judge who had administered the original sentence; the judge came out of retirement to advocate Guglielmo’s early release.
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Guglielmo found work as a dishwasher and then a roofer. He married and had a son, whom he named Giovanni. But within weeks of his birth, the baby began contracting frequent, severe infections. Boston Children’s Hospital told Guglielmo and his wife that their son had NEMO, a rare and severe genetic immune disorder, and wouldn’t live to see his first birthday unless he received a bone-marrow transplant. The odds of finding an exact match were one in 20,000.
Guglielmo’s response was to add 20,000 people to the transplant registry. After a year and a half of campaigning, he’d found 12 exact matches for his son. And in May of 2007, after six months in Children’s Hospital, Giovanni went home.
The decision to become a good man doesn’t end after that “one defining moment.” It will be repeatedly challenged, and with regards to Michael Guglielmo, repeatedly overcome.
In the video above (edited by Nikki Arena), Guglielmo talks to Lisa Hickey about his childhood, his descent, and his long road to triumph.
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To help save a life, visit DKMS Americas at www.getswabbed.org.
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About Nikki Arena
nikki you ROCK. thank you for this amazing contribution.
Great article, stories like these are the ones that need to be told. The video was so inspiring!!! Great Job GMP!
thanks for the update on this family; i recalled reading this story in the paper back when they were searching for a match and submitting a bone marrow sample via cheek swab; it is good to hear they found matches and baby Giovanni is home; the family raised a lot of awareness on behalf of their baby boy and for all others out there in need of a donor
When you cannot imagine our society getting any uglier than currently posted on the news and blogs, a story as uplifting as this appears to heal our soul. Being a grandfather, I was reminded , as a teenager,
working in a Children”s Hospital So much pain born by kids and parents, yet the small victories that sent our spirits soaring.
MG..my heart rejoices for your little one, you and your wife. I can only wish you a lifetime filled with the joys
of family.
A great story of wounded men and redemption.
Yes, that was a good interview. You guys should try to get that guy on the Positive Parenting radio show run by Mr. Dad. Google it.
ROFL, 8 counts of ATTEMPTED murder, it’s almost as bad as those guys that attempt suicide
And your point is what? What have you done to make the world a better place or relieve someone from suffering. Are you a member of the bone marrow registry or are you among the 72 percent of men who won’t join the bone marrow registry. Ask yourself this: If you had the opportunity to save someone’s life with little or no discomfort to yourself and you would not save another what does that say about you?
A wonderful testament to the power of reconciliation, forgiveness, and love, Michael. I think of you and your family often. God bless. And a kiss to Giovanni.
Michael,
we never met, yet spoke a few times on the phone. we are friends. I am touched upon hearing how you turned your life around and how you now do good for the love of your son. God has put you on a mission. Continued success and may God guide you and give you strength. God bless Giovanni, you and your family. please let me know however I can help via comedy.
sincerely,
Jerry Caruso
********TUNE INTO BKS1RADIO.COM******** EACH AND EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT AT 11PM THIS IS WHERE YOU WANT TO BE! WE ALWAYS DISCUSS TOPICS AND ISSUES THAT PERTAIN TO OUR WORLD TODAY! SEX, RELATIONSHIPS, LIFESTYLES, KIDS, ETC… THIS FRIDAY!!
On March 18, 2011 The O.W.W.H.H Show, hosted by SOMEMORE, MS HONEYDEE, C STAR, PEACHES, & SUNSHINE will discuss going from “Hood to Good”
Can Drug Dealers Change? Do they want to change and just need help? Are more women becoming victim to this lifestyle and finding themselves in jail? Or are more women becoming wiser and running their own drug empires? How does an ex-drug dealer feel about this?
Michael,
You are a true inspiration to me. I am so proud of everything you have turned your life into. I am happy that Giovanni has a parent that can step up to to plate do do whatever it takes to give him a better life. If i can be half the father you are then my son will be lucky as well. God Bless you and your family.
sincerely,
William Hill
the sad thing is i’m sure the media covered exstensively the shootout, but somehow doubt there was any coverage of his drive to help people. as far as i’m concerned, this was what is news worthy
Beautiful piece, that shows both the strength and determination that a father’s love can bring, but also the highlights that rehabilitation is possible.