by Rachel Petty
The Sanders family (L to R: Courtney, Jason, Kim, Madelyn Dare, Ellie Grace, and Kayla) pose with a $14,500 donation check for the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation.
Nearly two weeks after the first annual Pitt Hopkins Syndrome Awareness Day benefit in honor of their daughter Madelyn Dare, Kim and Jason Sanders are still humbled and in awe of the support they received from the community on September 18, 2018.
Madelyn Dare Sanders was diagnosed with Pitt Hopkins Syndrome in early spring of 2018. Since her diagnosis, her parents have decided to do all they can to raise awareness about her diagnosis and work toward finding a cure.
The donations have been tallied, and the Sanders family will present a grand total of $14,500 directly to the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation.
The Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation supports research dedicated to finding a treatment and an eventual cure for Pitt Hopkins Syndrome and other similar disorders. This organization is also dedicated to supporting the Pitt Hopkins community with resource recommendations, parental support, and the latest medical information.
Private donations to PittHopkins.org and money collected from sales of RareiTees t-shirts in support and celebration of Madelyn account for additional money raised for the cause, bringing total of funds raised to-date to approximately $18,000. Kim and Jason say that donations continue to come in.
“I have been truly overwhelmed by the support of all who attended and contributed to our 1st Annual PTHS awareness event and also the efforts of all of those who helped make it a huge success!” Jason Sanders said.
The Pitt Hopkins Awareness event began with a barbecue meal provided by Smokin’ F Barbecue that included two sides, chips, drink, and a homemade dessert.
The event continued with a group game of “Heads or Tails” that had the whole crowd on their feet and laughing, followed by a rousing live auction led by Josh Kirby, who was assisted by several members of the Blackwell Realty and Auction team.
Event attendees also had the chance to participate in a silent auction and a cake walk to end the night.
Kim and Jason estimate that between 300 and 400 people came through the doors of the Ag Center for an evening of fellowship, support, and celebration.
The couple had big dreams for the event, but they say that the $14,500 donation check surpassed even their wildest expectations.
Kim, Jason, their daughters Kayla, Courtney, and Ellie Grace, and Madelyn’s team of supporters (known affectionately as “The Pitt Crew”) are already planning for next year’s benefit, which is slated for Saturday, September 21, 2019.
“The sky’s the limit,” Kim said, dreaming of ways that their awareness efforts can grow in the future.
“I can only hope each person supporting Madelyn throughout this journey continues to claim victory with us and share in our joy each time a mountain moves,” Kim added. “We are humbled to be in a position to make such a positive impact in the world of research along with being a mighty witness for the Lord and all His good works.”
You can read more about Madelyn here and follow along on her daily journey on the Team Madelyn Facebook page.
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