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June 2009
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If you're over 30, you know who they are. They are Bon Jovi, Billy Idol, Bryan Adams, Pat Benatar and of course, Blackheart - as in Joan Jett. The weird part was that they weren't just there in music. They were there in costume. So where was I? I was at the Legends of Rock and Roll Fundraiser put on by TIRR Foundation, which is an organization that raises money for brain and spinal cord injuries. And it was - wait for it - totally awesome! THE LEGEND BEHIND THE LEGENDS OF ROCK
I was pretty psyched about the costumes, too. Because where else would you find 250 people dressed up in rock star garb, mullets and spiked, overly teased hair? (see slideshow)
"The event is put on by the Junior VolunTIRR's. These are the young professionals of the organization. For the past two years, the fundraiser went to support Camp Xtreme, which is a week long overnight camp for wheelchair dependent children to make them feel like regular kids," said Brooke. But this year's event was even more special.
Now, those are two very good reasons to squeeze into leather pants and hot pink spandex. THE BEST PART OF MY JOB
"My daughter, Elena, is paralyzed from the waist down, but from the waist up she's a tiger," said Juliet Porras. Elena is only 20 months old, but she's been pretty busy fighting for her life since the day she was born. She's already beaten phase III cancer, met Lance Armstrong and has got the attention of some of the best doctors in Houston. Not bad for someone who hasn't even had her second birthday yet. Because the cancer tumor was found on her spine, she's currently in a wheelchair. But her mom is determined to give her little girl the best life possible and thinks a neurosurgeon from Memorial Hermann and his colleague may have the answer. "Dr. Baumgartner is working at getting the research passed so they can take stem cells from Elena's hip and introduce them into her spinal cord," said Juliet. Taking cells from bone marrow isn't exactly going to be a happy day at the zoo for little Elena, but if everything goes well, she'll be in and out of the hospital before nightfall. So Juliet has found the doctor and the possible treatment to get her daughter walking, but there is one big catch: It costs $300,000. That's where TIRR comes in. With their help, she's determined to raise the money and spread the word. "Elena had her first chemo treatment at two days old. She's already overcome so much and I know she's a fighter," said Juliet. Yup, she's right. This little is girl is a fighter...just like her mom. RELATED LINKS |
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