A few weeks ago I did a video interview with Flower Mound resident Susie Klamkin, whose daughter Emily was born with intestinal pseudo obstruction which was caused by mitochondrial disease. After she was born, it took 4 years for the doctors to figure out that she had this condition, along with chronic pancreatitis; and it took 7 years for them to diagnose her mitochondrial disease. At the age of 13, she lost her large intestine and most of her small intestines. Since birth, Emily, who is now 31, has endured numerous challenges to her health. The intestinal pseudo obstruction and chronic pancreatitis along with her mitochondrial disease caused almost constant strokes and seizures.
Emily has a chance for a new life with a 5-organ transplant by specialists at a hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. The Klamkin family will be responsible for about $300,000 of the approximately $2 million operation. They could really use some community support to handle their portion of the astronomical medical bills. The following is an example of that community response.
A fundraising dinner has been set up to help with those expenses. Former Flower Mound Mayor Tom Hayden read the story and watched the video I made with Emily’s mom.
Tom came up with the idea to enlist the aid of restaurant owners in Lakeside who will supply the food and drinks for the event. Then he spoke to the owner of the Circle R Ranch in Flower Mound and they donated the venue for the evening of September 2. Next, he asked me if my buddy David Magee would consider providing the entertainment for that special night. Dave, who has donated his talent freely to good causes many times over the years, was happy to oblige.
If you’ve never seen Dave’s exciting performances in numerous venues across the country, including his Ultimate Game Show at the Winstar Casino in Oklahoma, I promise you’re going to see things that will stun you and have you asking “How is that possible?” Here’s a link to one of Dave’s promotional ads.
Please check out the info below for the night of the event, which will include a dining experience, mind-boggling entertainment, and several surprises for the audience: www.facebook.com/CommunityforEmily/
The tickets are $125 per person and all the money raised will go to the Klamkin family. Moreover, the ticket price is tax deductible. There will be more info on the event as we get closer, but, in the meantime please put the date on your calendar and tell your family and friends about it. Our own Texas State Representative, Tan Parker, will co-host the event with Tom Hayden.
The video accompanying this story is a message of thanks from Emily and her mom, Susie. Bedridden for years with this illness, Emily, like most young women, wanted to dress up, apply makeup and sit in the living room for the interview. This video will also be shown at the fundraising event.
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