David Law advocates for GM1 Awareness Day and newborn screening honoring the memory of his daughter, Violet

Each year on May 23, families, advocates, and medical professionals recognize GM1 Awareness Day, raising awareness for GM1 Gangliosidosis, a rare and terminal genetic disease that affects children and families around the world.

For Dr. David “Noodles” Law ‘04 (Cal Berkeley), the day is deeply personal.

His daughter, Violet, passed away from GM1 Gangliosidosis in November 2023. Today, Law continues fighting in her honor through advocacy, awareness efforts, and his work with the Cure GM1 Foundation. He is currently helping lead efforts to add GM1 testing to standard newborn screening panels, which could help families receive earlier diagnoses and access to treatment options sooner.

Brotherhood provided empathy, support, and a path to advocacy

When Violet was diagnosed, Law’s Pi Lambda Phi brothers stepped in immediately. Over the years, their support evolved into an extraordinary network of friendship, professional guidance, fundraising, and emotional support that helped carry the Law family through unimaginable challenges.

“There is so much superficial pleasantry around grief,” Law shared. “Pilams didn’t beat around the bush. They sat in it with us and helped us through it.”

As previously highlighted in an earlier story on Law and Violet, several brothers used their own expertise to help support the family in meaningful ways. Dr. Brian Tseng ’84, a pediatric rare disease specialist, provided medical insight and guidance. 

Bing Yune Chen ’04, and Ajay Kshatriya ’99 helped Law navigate the nonprofit pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical world surrounding GM1 research and advocacy. 

Ronnie Exley ’04, organized “A Cure for Violet,” a Los Angeles music festival that raised thousands of dollars through performances and merchandise sales.

The support continued after Violet’s passing

Carlos Lara ’05, Law’s little brother, became a consistent source of connection and encouragement during the difficult months that followed. Law shared that Carlos regularly encouraged him to stay active through walks and simple everyday hangouts.

“Having regular contact became incredibly important during grief,” Law said. “It helped our family fight the loneliness.”

Alexis Castro ’14 helped connect the Law family and the Cure GM1 Foundation with California State Senator Steve Padilla. Those connections helped California officially recognize May 23 as GM1 Awareness Day.

Over time, many senators came to know Law, his family, and Violet’s story personally. “The senators knew Violet’s name,” Law said. “They knew her story.”

Law admits that much of 2024 remains difficult to remember as he and his family navigated profound grief. By the middle of 2025, he finally began feeling more like himself again. “My brothers helped make that possible,” he said.

Violet’s Legacy

Today, Law and his wife, Veena, continue serving others through medicine, David in internal medicine and Veena in pediatrics. Both say Violet’s life profoundly shaped the compassion they bring to their patients and families every day.

For Law, GM1 Awareness Day is about more than advocacy and research. It is also about honoring Violet’s life and recognizing the people who helped his family continue moving forward. “This day exists in California because of Pilam,” he said.

The Law family’s fight continues with efforts to add GM1 to newborn screening panels through a Change.org petition advocating for GM1 screening awareness.

Brotherhood means loyalty and friendship when you need it most

Brotherhood is not measured solely by the years spent together in college. Sometimes, it is measured by who stays by your side through life’s hardest moments.

“Not Four Years, But A Lifetime.”