Organizers are pleased with the results of the 4th annual fundraising bonspiel for MPS VI, a rare, progressive disease caused by an enzyme deficiency.
In 2011, Pam and Darren More’s son, Jasper, was diagnosed with MPS and family and friends have hosted numerous events, raising thousands of dollars in the intervening years.
Once again the bonspiel, held at the Palmerston Curling Club on Nov. 21, was full with 16 teams out for fun, friendship and fundraising.
Each team played two four-end games. There was also a silent auction and plenty of raffle prizes.
“With the help of local business and personal sponsors, and of course all the people who came out to attend the event, we were very pleased to have raised over $5,400, which will go direct to The Isaac Foundation registered charity, where 99 per cent of all money brought in goes right back out to fund research projects to find a cure for MPS VI,” organizers state.
Since Jasper was diagnosed at the age of two, he has been receiving weekly enzyme replacement therapy treatments.
The treatments involve a two-hour drive from Palmerston to Children’s Hospital at the London Health Sciences Centre, and then a six-hour infusion treatment and a two-hour drive home.
While it makes for a long day, the treatments are helping to stabilize what could otherwise be a very rapid degenerative condition.
“Our family would once again like to thank all the supporters who either donated prices, money, the curling club venue, their time to help organize and operate the bonspiel and especially the people who came out to curl,” states the More family in a press release.
Next year’s bonspiel is already planned for Nov. 20, 2015.
