|
|
|
 |
|
Take the Challenge Aidan Simecka Tennis Events - Adults and JuniorsPlaying Tennis to find a cure for Enteric Hyperoxaluria On October 3rd and 4th, 2009, the inaugural Aidan Simecka Tennis Event hosted a dozen adults and over 30 children, all playing tennis for Enteric Hyperoxaluria. We’d like to thank Anders and Brandi Bergkvist for their dedication to their nephew, Aidan Simecka. At the age of eight, after suffering from constant serious health problems from birth, Aidan was diagnosed with Enteric Hyperoxaluria. Hyperoxaluria is a condition in which the body contains too much of a hard substance called Oxalate. Oxalate eats away at kidney tissue and causes a host of other serious health problems. Aidan, now age 13, lives with reduced kidney function and will likely need a kidney transplant one day. Unfortunately, a transplant will only buy him more time. His body will continue to hyper-absorb oxalate and suffer its effects unless a cure is found. His aunt and uncle are working to find a cure. Aidan’s uncle, Anders, a tennis pro in Allegheny, PA, and his wife, Brandi, decided to do something: with not one, but two tennis events. They created a morning of tennis for adults followed by an overnight of tennis, where kids played, had fun and made a difference. At 8:00 PM, the lights went on and over 30 kids stayed all night: playing tennis and other kid friendly games and activities when not on the court to raise money to find a cure for this silent and life threatening disease. The Adult Round Robin allowed more play time than expected and everyone chipped in to help out. After the winning team received prizes, everyone enjoyed a luncheon provided by the club and watched the pros play an exhibition game. During the lunch, Brandi and Anders, thanked everyone for attending and making a difference in the fight to find a cure for Enteric Hyperoxaluria. When the sun went down, over 30 kids participated and most stayed all night! They wouldn't leave, even when their parents tried to convince them to go early. The kids loved the tennis, played consistently all night and participated in other activities that were available for them, including spaghetti head, bubble gum sculpture and Nintendo RockStar. That wasn’t the focus, the kids played tennis, all night. Everyone received a prize for playing and only one participant fell asleep with 10 minutes left in the event. They raised close to $3000 for OHF and we are closer to finding a cure as well as providing patients with more programs and assistance. Aidan spoke that evening and thanked everyone for coming to raise awareness for his disease. He has a Top Ten List for when we find a cure: Top Ten List of Things to Celebrate When Doctors Find a Cure for OH: Number 10 – No more carrying around those big orange plastic jugs they give you for 24-hour urine collections. Number 9 – Not having to hear my mom say every 30 minutes, “Drink your water.” Number 8 – Not having to listen to my mom recite my entire medical history at least 10 times to one nurse and then another every time I have to go to the hospital. Number 7 – Not being on a first name basis with the guy at the pharmacy. Number 6 – No more eight-hour trips in the van to the Mayo Clinic, nine hours when Grandpa misses the exit and we have to back track. Number 5 – No more missing school because of one doctor appointment after another (Okay – maybe not this one). Number 4 – It’s okay to have Mountain Dew and any other kind of pop more than just once a year. Number 3 – I’ll be able to eat candy bars like the rest of my friends instead of having to sneak it and then get caught by my mom because I’ve got chocolate smeared all across my face and don’t know it. Number 2 – Not having to take so many medicines that it takes an entire backpack to carry them around with me. And the Number One Thing to Celebrate When Doctors Find a Cure for OH is – Not having to ask “Where’s the bathroom?” everywhere I go. Even at the White House during our private tour of the Oval Office. At least I’ve got something for a souvenir that I’m pretty sure not too many others have – White House Toilet Paper J We’d like to thank the sponsors of this event for making our day truly special and fun for everyone. Thank you to Allegheny Country Club, Sewickley, PA for hosting this event and providing the courts for everyone. And the following sponsors:
The two events raised over $13,500!!! Plan to come out again next year, or invite your friends to the Second Annual Aidan Simecka Tennis Event early next fall. We look forward to seeing you there to play, have fun and make a difference in the lives of people suffering from this silent and life threatening disease. For more about Aidan, please click here. Donate » |
|
||||||||
|
|
The OHF is a 501 (c)(3), public charity. © Oxalosis & Hyperoxaluria Foundation (OHF) · Legal Disclaimer For problems with this website please email webmaster@ohf.org
Website design ©1996 - 2011 Relevant Arts |
