www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Friday, May 4, 2012 · 12 By Brice Roy SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Robbie's Rainbow hosting its inaugural gala In a bid to raise money and awareness to fight Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, the charitable organization Robbie's Rainbow is preparing to host its inaugural fundraising gala. Treatment for Tender Tummies will be held at the Operating Engineers Banquet Hall on May 12 from 7 p.m-1 a.m. All funds raised will be donated to various hospitals for the expensive treatment of the disease families with health coverage sometimes cannot afford. "We work with hospitals to ensure their treatments are taken care of beforehand. Families never come into contact with the funds. We just put the funds in place at the hospital so all they have to do is show up and their treatment is paid for," said Kate Murray, executive director of Robbie's Rainbow. Murray was introduced to the disease several years ago when her son Robbie was diagnosed at age six. Constant trips to the hospital for treatment and seeing children in pain inspired her to create the charity with the help of her son. In addition to providing funds need for essential care, Robbie's Rainbow has created a network for parents and children to help fight the disease. The "pediatric community" as Murray calls it, is composed of volunteers and child ambas- OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO a rainbow of hope: Robbie Murray at a fundraiser earlier this spring. Robbie's Rainbow, a charity that supports treatment costs for children with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, will hold its inaugural fundraising gala May 12. sadors who help other children suffering from the disease. "Our ambassadors are role models to children recently diagnosed. They set a very positive tone for living with a chronic illness. They show that despite having to live with pain and other symptoms you can achieve your goals or anySINCE 1977 thing you set your mind to," said Murray. Besides being role models, the ambassadors are also companions and friends that are sometimes difficult to meet when you're in the hospital receiving treatment or at home in bed. "By having that friendship relationship, they really get a sense of normalcy," said Murray. "I'm his mother and I have an idea of his suffering and if he's having a bad day, I understand that he's in pain, but don't understand the pain ... another child who has the disease can really understand." Crohn's disease attacks the digestive tract causing a variety of symptoms including severe abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and weight loss. The disease often appears in childhood and affects even the simplest tasks. "Eating was always an ordeal, it was very painful for him. The best way to describe it is by imagining a hamburger wrapped in barbed wire and razor blades," said Murray. "That's how a child with Crohn's sees food. The pain is just atrocious." For one night however, Robbie, his fellow ambassadors will be able to ignore the pain and enjoy themselves. Admission to the gala costs $25 and attendees will be treated to live music by several bands, multiple dance presentations and silent auctions. While the event will surely bring smiles to all who attend, Murray hopes the message remains in their heads. "I think it's important for people to know that their generosity not only helps children but, it gives mothers and fathers hope their children are going to have a better quality of life. You are giving a child the best gift there is and that's the gift of having a pain free normal childhood." Lifestyle Home Furnishings UP TO HERITAGE SAVE BOTHERED BY SIGNS % EXPANSION · RENOVATION SALE 60 OF AGING? · Do you have facial creases called nasolabial folds that extend from your nose to the corners of your mouth? · Are you a man or woman 18 or older? You may qualify to participate in an investigational study for facial creases. · Qualified participants will receive treatments by a board certified dermatologist To see if you qualify please contact: DON'T MISS THIS INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE 4205 Fairview Street, Burlington · 905-634-5298 www.heritagefurniture.ca www.dermetics.ca