Community Corner
Photo Gallery: Marfan Foundation Event A Hit at the B. Coleman
The B. Coleman Hangar at Gary International Airport was the site of the inaugural event for the Marfan Foundation held in Gary Indiana
The Marfan Foundation recently held their inaugural social affair at the B. Coleman Hangar at Gary airport.
Cindy Alderson organized the VERY FIRST benefit for the Marfan Foundation in the Chicago/Northwest Indiana area. She named the event after her daughter, The London. The event was held in October.. A plane was in the middle of the event along with celebrities such as former Chicago Bears Otis Wilson and David Terrell. Other sports celebrities that attended were Marques Sullivan, Josh Shaw, Fred Evans and Cliff Levingston.
“My daughter was diagnosed with Marfan Syndrome when she was two,” Cindy explained. “She had really bad eye site, the doctor thought she had glaucoma. When he saw the lenses move he speculated it was Marfan Syndrome. With Marfan Syndrome there are a lot of side effects with the heart, eyes and bones. Undetected life expectancy is only thirty or forty years.”
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“This year’s event was a black-tie masquerade, every year the theme will change,” Cindy said.” I’m already planning next years event which will be a speak easy. I want to create an experience so supporters will come out and have such a good time. This will raise money for awareness and raise money for research because that’s been. With funding coming in they are constantly finding new processes.”
London, who is 12 years old kept thanking attendees for coming out to not only support her but finding a cure for this disease.
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Marfan syndrome is a serious condition, and some complications can be potentially life-threatening. Although there is no cure for Marfan syndrome, advances in medical care are helping people live a normal lifespan. And that is why early and accurate diagnosis is so important, not only for people with Marfan syndrome, but also for those with related conditions.
“Last year was the worst year for pain” explains London.
“My dogs get me through my day,” London said. “I love animals. My dream is to buy land when I’m older and build a sanctuary for animals.
Some signs of Marfan Syndrome include: Long arms, legs and fingers, tall and thin body type, curved spine, chest sinks in or sticks out, flexible joints, flat feet, crowded teeth and stretch marks on the skin that are not related to weight gain or loss.
“This is a progressive disease but it’s manageable,” Cindy said. “We’re blessed that it’s not worse. This is all about giving back and raising awareness and research dollars. My hope is to create an experience so that people will return the next year and bring five more people.”
For additional information on Marfan Syndrome go to Marfan.org
Cindy & London would like to thank the following sponsors: Anthony Nardo who owns Joey's, Adam Gurney from Miles & Gurney,LLC Attorney's at Law, Doug Connor from Liberty Title & Escrow, Chris Kozicki from B. Coleman Aviation, Amy Aiello Photography, Bourbon Street, Sonja Zecevic from Lepa boutique, Ted Cattoni & Jim Allen from TS Gaming, Sheila Vaske from V'Enza, Amal Salameh from Nirvana, Mari Ann Unger from Montessori in Plainfield/Frankfort, Danielle Companio from Steering Cocktails, Jenny Vyas from Jenny Vyas Contemporary Art and Mary Compton from Mary Compton Media & Photography.