The Estevan Kinette Club continued its quest to help find a cure for cystic fibrosis (CF) during its annual Princess and Superhero Ball Saturday afternoon at the 麻豆传媒AVeast College鈥檚 Estevan campus.
A total of 109 people attended the event, with both young people and adults dressed up as their favourite superhero or princess. They were ushered in by their favourite superhero or princess.
People were dressed in prince and princess attire to escort guests to their tables, and members of the Estevan Police Service and the Bienfait Fire Department were there to greet the crowd as well.
鈥淲e wanted to do a spin on our local heroes and our everyday heroes for kids to be a part of, and to be recognized as a part of our community in that way,鈥� said event chairperson Kasey McIntyre, a Kinette whose son Liam has been diagnosed with CF.
Activities happened throughout the afternoon. DJ Dave Elliott provided music and the kids had a great time dancing with their family members and friends.
Guest speaker Kelly Thompson of Carnduff spoke about her son Braden鈥檚 battles with CF. Braden Thompson was supposed to attend, but couldn鈥檛 due to an illness.
Kelly Thompson noted that her son has spent a lot of time in the hospital, and he wasn鈥檛 diagnosed until the age of five.
鈥淗e takes everything with such stride,鈥� said Kelly Thompson. 鈥淗e is truly a warrior. He keeps our spirits up, and he鈥檚 not afraid to talk about it.鈥�
The hardest part for him is gaining weight. He鈥檚 13 years old, but he only weighs 60 pounds. So he uses a feeding tube in his stomach, and takes 6,200 calories in his sleep.
But he鈥檚 active. He plays hockey, and is in archery and cross-country.
鈥淏raden has a fight for life. He鈥檚 not ready to give up, and he鈥檚 shown us that we can鈥檛 give up.鈥澛犅�
Members of the Drewitz School of Dance provided dance and local youths entertained the audience with some live music. Local youth Klara Heath was named the Princess for the Day, and was presented with some prizes. (For more on the Princess for the Day, please see this week鈥檚 edition of 麻豆传媒AVeast Lifestyles).
鈥淚t was just fun,鈥� said McIntyre. 鈥淓veryone had a wonderful time at the 麻豆传媒AVeast College. The venue was fantastic for lighting and room to do our activities.鈥�
If people wanted to sit and enjoy snacks and refreshments, they could. Or they could play games, make crafts and get their face painted.
鈥淭he kids just had a wonderful time. And that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 about. It鈥檚 about families coming out. As cold as it was 鈥� it鈥檚 good to have events in January, because we all get into hibernation mode. It was another way to get out and be active and not let winter hit us so hard.鈥�
Approximately $2,300 was raised, and proceeds from the event will be directed towards Cystic Fibrosis Canada to find a cure for CF.
The event was also a chance to create more awareness about the disease and how it affects children.
McIntyre said people with CF do their best to lead a normal life, but when an illness hits, it hits hard.
鈥淲hen families come out and support those that do have CF, it鈥檚 nice to know that they want to and the still do,鈥� said McIntyre.
Liam McIntyre was diagnosed with CF when he was four weeks old, and it was devastating news. The knowledge that there is no cure for the disease was enough to motivate McIntyre to find a cure.
Of all the balls the Kinettes have organized, McIntyre said she believes this was the best one, because the committee put in extra work, and they pulled it off.
