An annual West Central Illinois fundraiser, which has raised over $250,000 to support research for a rare neurological disorder, is holding its final event this weekend.
Nineteen years ago, Cindy Ryan and a group of supporters started the Crazy for a Cure fundraiser. Ryan’s son, Michael, suffers from Alternating Hemiplegia of Childhood, which causes paralysis of a portion of the body.
Ryan says it has been a difficult winter for Michael, but the future is looking bright.
“He goes to Hope School in Springfield and is starting some vocational classes. He will be 20 in April. By the time he turns 22 he should be job ready. We are anxious he will get into that mode and learn some skills he is capable of doing.”
Ryan says the upcoming event will mark the sixth year of the Hee-Haw Show and 19th year of fundraising. Special guests will include Dolly Parton and Elvis Presley.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at the Alsey Grade School on Saturday at 4:30 p.m. and the show starts at 6:30 p.m.
Ryan says any donations will be greatly appreciated. She notes that strides have been shown in the research to battle AHC.
“When we first got involved, there was no DNA support. Now that is accomplished and we have a wing at Vanderbilt University dedicated to the AHC. We have to get his medicine from Canada, so we are hoping to get a drug in the USA one day. I just want to make sure he gets what he needs.”
To learn more about the disease and how you can help, go online to ahckids.org.