Fundraiser planned for weekend
Nov 20, 2007 - 02:31 PM
Melissa Mancini
OSHAWA -- A local mother and her two sons -- all suffering from a rare disease -- will get a little help from their friends this weekend.
Friends and former co-workers of Tracy Pratt will gather at the Royal Canadian Legion on Simcoe Street South on Saturday and Sunday to help out the woman and her children.
Mrs. Pratt and her two sons have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a disease which affects the body's collagen, a protein that provides elasticity to the body's cells and tissue.
The disease causes joints to become more elastic than normal so that they are easily dislocated. It also causes skin, blood vessels and other tissues to become very fragile. There is no cure.
Mrs. Pratt also has cerebral palsy and Tourette's syndrome. Her sons, Stephen, 12, and Kurtis, 8, have Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism.
Expensive medications and Mrs. Pratt's inability to work because of her condition mean the family is "financially strapped" said Teresa Guindon, Tracy's cousin who is helping plan the fundraiser. In addition, Mrs. Pratt's husband, Stephen, was recently laid-off indefinitely.
"They are an awesome family and they love their children so much," said Ms. Guindon. "But it's just been one hardship after another."
Mrs. Pratt worked at Zellers on Simcoe Street South for 17 years before her condition advanced.
Her mother, Charlotte Osmok-Rammler, said her daughter's former co-workers have been like family to the Pratts. They ran a bake sale and a Christmas dinner and dance to raise money for the family. This weekend's fundraiser is hoping to build on those efforts.
The fundraiser will take place this Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p,m. at the Royal Canadian Legion on 471 Simcoe Street South. There will be a rummage, craft and bake sale, as well as a silent auction and face-painting for the kids. Organizers are asking those who plan on attending to bring a non-perishable food item or household item to donate to the family. There is also a trust fund set up for the family at the T.D. Bank at 455 Simcoe St. S., Branch 3216, Account Number 6257944.
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