The Paniolo (Hawaiian Cowboy) Benefit Luau

On September 8, 2012, the Paniolo Benefit Luau, a charity event benefiting the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Foundation, will be held at the Silver Rose Ranch in Chino Hills, CA. The event is being organized by Tina Bevan.

Two years ago, Tina and Ian's 3 year old grandson, Grant Berg, was stricken with aplastic anemia. We have no idea the cause. He immediately started a long line of blood transfusions to keep him alive. There was only one drug therapy available that had a small chance of helping kick start his bone marrow to start functioning. It failed. After a very long year of weekly visits to the hospital for transfusions, and two very long and serious stays in Loma Linda Children's Hospital due to spontaneous brain bleeds and pneumonia, it became obvious his only chance for survival was a bone marrow transplant. No one in the family was a match. Children's Hospital Los Angeles put out an international search for a donor. An 18 year old angel, somewhere in Europe ( all donors are anonymous for the first year) , was located and he was an almost perfect match. He donated bone marrow, it was flown over and transplanted into Grant. We are very happy to say it was successful and he is 10 months post-transplant. He was recently cleared to return to school. Without his selfless gift, Grant would not be with us.

Please come for a fun day and help raise money for the programs and services of AA&MDSIF which benefit patients and families around the world. There will be music by the Hawaiian Soul Band, entertainment, and performances by hula dancers. This authentic luau feast will also incldue fun events such as a petting zoo and pony cart rides for the kids, silent auction and raffles. Tickets must be purchased ahead of time and will be limited to 300. Tickets are $20 per adult ( 16 yrs. and up) and $10 for children 12 -16. Children 12 and under are free.

If interested in purchasing tickets, email the ranch or call (909) 517-3321. If you cannot join us, please donate what you can or add to the silent auction.