It is time for the Third Annual Helping Hearts for Friends Fundraiser to benefit families who are facing tough times as a result of cancer or other serious illness or injury.

Last years fundraiser confirmed that what we are trying to do is well worth the effort. We were able assist the Worthington family with a number of medical bills and, hopefully, we made a difference for their family.

Over the last two years we have been able to donate over $35,000 to deserving families on behalf of all of you and the Helping Hearts For Friends Foundation. My wife and I feel blessed to have all of you working to make this foundation a success and to make a difference in people's lives.

For those of you who don't know I have a 18 year old niece, Tiffani, who suffers from Rett Syndrome. Some of the proceeds from this year's event will go to help Tiffani become more mobile so that it will be easier for her to leave the house and see the world. Tiffani is completely dependent on her parents, Rob and Liz. She is confined to a wheelchair and she is unable to walk, speak or feed herself. It is our goal to hopefully improve the quality of life for Tiffani and her parents.

The International Rett Syndrome Association (IRSA) describes Rett Syndrome (RS) as a unique neurodevelopmental disorder which begins to show its affects in infancy or early childhood. It is seen almost exclusively in females, although it can occur rarely in boys. It is found in all racial and ethnic groups throughout the world.

The child with RS usually develops normally and appears to be fine until they are 6-18 months of age. It is during this time when a period of temporary stagnation or regression follows causing the child to lose communication skills and purposeful use of the hands and feet, making walking difficult. Soon, stereotyped hand movements and gait disturbances appear.

Other problems may include disorganized breathing patterns and severe seizures which require the child to be medicated. The child also frequently suffers from Apraxia (dyspraxia), the inability to program the body to perform motor movements. this the most fundamental and severely handicapping aspect of RS. It can interfere with every body movement, including eye gaze and speech, making it difficult for the girl with RS to do what she wants to do.

RS is most often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy or non-specific developmental delay. While many health professionals may not be familiar with RS, it is a relatively frequent cause of neurological dysfunction in females. The prevalence rate in various countries ranges from 1:10,000 to 1:23,000 live female births.

Attached is the flier regarding the event.  This promises to be a fun evening, which will result in money being raised for a worthwhile endeavor.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Scott and Mary Fairfield