The Prince Albert Optimist Club is hosting their 2nd Annual Ladies Fall Gala on Saturday September 10, 2016. The gala will consist of a wine pull fundraiser, silent auction, supper, dance, and vendor alley. There will be over 200 ladies attending this event. From the money raised at the gala last year, we were able to help four local children: Jonas Clarke, Aurora Sky Ledoux, Harley Buzit and Bentley Broome.
This year, all funds raised will be going to three new local families with children who have the following medical conditions:
Addison Diehl was born at 27 weeks with a rare disability called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, causing joints to be stiff and crooked at birth. There are only three cases in Saskatchewan and 87 in Canada. Addison was born with clubfeet, contractures in her knees, and an a-symmetrical head. Many trips were made to Edmonton where she was fitted with a helmet worn for five months to reshape her head followed by surgery to try correct her clubfeet. At five-years-old, Addison had further surgery in Saskatoon. The family was told by her doctors that there was nothing more they could do for her except get her a nice wheel chair. Not giving up, the family located a world-renowned doctor in Philadelphia specializing in her disability. Addison is currently in Philadelphia undergoing complex surgery and treatment requiring knee reconstruction and external fixators, pins and casting through her legs, knees and feet to straighten her legs. For three months, tension will need to be applied four times a day. Addison’s family will remain in Philadelphia making weekly trips to the hospital as Addison’s progress is monitored. At eight years old, there is hope that Addison will no longer have to walk on her knees and without the assistance of crutches.
Julia Brandoline is a happy four-year-old girl. She has a very rare chromosome variant that causes kleefstra syndrome. There are only 300 known cases in the world. Most have no known cause or inherited link. It is a condition that includes severe respiratory illnesses, GERD, heart defects, hyptonia and developmental delays, feeding and speech problems. For her complicated medical care the family has had to travel to Edmonton Children’s Hospital, Saskatoon Royal University Hospital, Mayo Clinic in Rochester, USA and Toronto for her heart surgery. She has had many heart surgeries and tests throughout
her short four years.
Katie Enequist is a thirteen-year-old girl whose health continues to deteriorate. Medical specialists are recommending surgery as the only option to save Katie’s life. Due to the rare nature of her condition and the critical nature of surgeries, there is a chance that she could end up paralyzed or brain-dead. Without surgery she will continue to slowly die. None of Katie’s doctors have been able to diagnose her specific disorder; she is the first known child to be born with all of the rare conditions that specialists continue to treat. Her specialized doctors call her condition: “An Anomaly”. Along with serious medical conditions,
Katie’s physical appearance is also affected. At thirteen years old, Katie’s weight has never exceeded forty pounds. She has a deteriorating spinal malformation and an unnamed condition that affects the left side of her body, giving her “cauliflower ear”, inverted thumb, smaller left eye, shorter left leg, webbed toes and a smaller left hand. Katie has traveled all across North America for surgery and related treatment.
We are looking for donations for our silent auction that will be taking place at the gala. If you are interested in donating a gift certificate, a product from your line, or even cash, please contact us.
