Dempster Family Foundation

The Dempster Foundation Casino Night All-Star Event Brings in More than $350,000 for Families of Children with a 22q Disorder

Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:45:40 +0000

CHICAGO – Major league baseball player Ryan Dempster, the Chicago Cubs, Crystal Bowersox, WWF Champion CM Punk and National Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, along with some of the biggest names in baseball, hit a home run by raising more than $350,000 for the Dempster Foundation at the third annual Casino Night and auction.

The Dempster Foundation supports families of children diagnosed with 22q deletion, a disorder caused by a micro-deletion of the 22nd chromosome. Present in one out of every 4,000 live births, symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. 22q deletion often goes undiagnosed but it is almost as common as Down Syndrome, a widely recognized chromosomal disorder. The Dempster’s daughter, Riley, was born with the disorder in 2009.

“We were once again overwhelmed with the tremendous support from my teammates, sponsors, fans and celebrity guests who came together to raise money to benefit the Foundation and strike out 22q,” said Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher. “Everyone supporting this event has made a profound difference by helping to create a better today and a brighter tomorrow for families like us dealing with 22q.”

About 600 celebrities and guests attended the Casino Night party and auction, held at Chicago’s Palmer House on Wednesday, May 9. Chicago Cubs players such as Kerry Wood, Alfonso Soriano, Matt Garza, and front office executives including Theo Epstein, Coach Dale Sveum and more served as Casino dealers throughout the evening. Co-host of ABC 7′s Windy City LIVE, Ryan Chiaverini served as emcee, along with Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, hosts of the Eric & Kathy Show on WTMX-FM The MIX. NBC 5’s Stefan Holt and Daniella Guzman also served as celebrity hosts. Of the hundreds of items available through a live and silent auction, a 2012 World Series trip sold for $40,000 and an authentic Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig autographed baseball sold for $21,000. Proceeds from the baseball will benefit the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago.

American Idol runner-up and singer/ songwriter Crystal Bowersox, Chicago favorite John Vincent, the Chicago Mustangs Dance Team and Miss. Illinois Scholarship Foundation provided entertainment. The event also featured food stations by Mercat a la Planxa and Wildfire, custom cupcakes by Cupcakes for Courage and beverages from William Grant and Sons and Budweiser.

“The 22q disorder is tough on families, and it’s important for them to know they have resources like the Dempster Foundation available,” said Dempster. “Events like this do more than raise money, they raise awareness. That awareness can be priceless for families impacted by this disorder.”

To date, the Foundation’s annual Casino Night has raised a record $885,000 in support of 22q and other Chicagoland charities.

About The Dempster Foundation

The Dempster Foundation provides financial support to charities in the Chicagoland area and to families of children diagnosed with a 22q11.2 deletion. On the 22q side, the Foundation empowers organizations to help children with this disorder overcome difficult situations through: providing funding to continue research for early detection of this disorder in children; supporting programs about 22q that provide education, physical therapy and activity to promote long-term well being; creating initiatives that build and instill confidence in these children; and developing a 22q network for families affected by this disorder to share stories and help navigate healthcare options and treatment.

Sydney

Staff — Thu, 17 May 2012 12:42:08 +0000

Sydney was just five days old when she had her first heart surgery — a surgery that would only be a temporary fix until she was strong enough to endure a partial transplant of a portion of her heart. Due to the oxygen levels in her blood being so low, a tiny shunt kept the blood flowing to her lungs which were much too delicate to handle a crying spell. Imagine trying to keep a newborn baby from crying! What a challenge! Within a few weeks of her first major heart surgery, doctors discovered that she was also born with malrotated intestines. Sydney had barely recovered from heart surgery, and she was back in the operating room to have abdominal surgery. This would be difficult for an adult to endure, let alone an infant. At a few weeks old, she was as tiny as ever, beautiful and gaining some strength. Finally, it was time to take her home! This relief was short lived, because after only a month at home, Sydney suddenly became very ill and was rushed to the local hospital. After another night in the hospital, the doctors sent her home blaming her illness on reflux or virus. Call it past experience or a mother’s intuition, Sydney’s mother couldn’t shake the fear that the illness was more serious than the doctor’s diagnosis. Sydney’s parents decided to get a second opinion and took her to a specialist at Hope Children’s Hospital. Sydney was immediately rushed into emergency surgery — scar tissue had formed in the weeks after her abdominal surgery which lead to a perforated bowel — in short, she had sepsis and was dying. The doctors did not expect her to make it through the night. The next morning she awoke from surgery and was back at home 10 days later. This miracle officially earned her nickname at the hospital, “Tough Chick.” Sydney is now 13 years-old and has endured 11 surgeries since she came into this world. She was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome (22q11). DiGeorge Syndrome is a deletion of a portion of chromosome 22. Sydney is set to have another surgery this year to repair a valve that is beginning to fail. A portion of Sydney’s heart is transplanted, so the tissue will not grow as she grows, and she will need surgeries for the rest of her life. Sydney has no health insurance, and these surgeries will not be possible without your help.

WGN: A Magic Trick in Honor of the Dempster Family Foundation

Staff — Sat, 12 May 2012 19:45:33 +0000

Watch this video from WGN featuring a little magic prior to the Dempster Family Foundation’s Casino Night!

2012 DEMPSTER FAMILY FOUNDATION CANADA GOLF TOURNAMENT

Staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 20:00:55 +0000

Ryan Dempster’s Family and Friends in Canada are teaming up to help “Strike Out 22q” at the Dempster Foundation Canada Golf Tournament on June 23, 2012. The Tournament which will be held again at the beautiful Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club at Robert’s Creek, B.C., Canada near Ryan’s hometown of Gibsons, B.C., will benefit The Dempster Foundation Canada which supports children with 22q11.2 deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome/VCFS) in British Columbia, Canada. For more information, please contact the Dempster Foundation Canada at: 773-633-9654.

SUNSHINE COAST GOLF AND COUNTRY CLUB

Sunshine Coast E 3206 Sunshine Coast Highway
Roberts Creek, B.C.
Sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club

2012 Casino Night Fundraiser a Success

Staff — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:53:33 +0000

The Third Annual Dempster Foundation Casino Night, held at the Palmer House, was a great success, raising awareness for 22q and other children’s charities in Chicagoland. Special thanks to our wonderful sponsors, generous guests and musical talent Singer/Songwriter Crystal Bowersox and Chicago Mainstay, John Vincent!

Through a silent auction and other donations the foundation raised more than $350,000. In the auction, a trip to the 2012 World Series sold for $40,000 while a rare, Babe Ruth-Lou Gehrig signed baseball went for $21,000.

Celebrities at the event included Dempster, former Cub Ernie Banks, Alfonso Soriano, Kerry Wood, Chris Chelios, Theo Epstein, CM Punk, and other Chicago Cubs Players.

“It’s incredible the support,” Dempster said. “It was a lot of fun tonight raising a lot of money and driving a lot of awareness.”

Also, a very special thanks to Casino Night Sponsors!

ADDITIONAL CASINO NIGHT COVERAGE:

VIDEO: Catching up with the Cubs at Casino Night (ESPN.com)
NEWS: Cubs’ Dempster: ‘The results will start coming’ (Chicago Tribune)
NEWS: Casino Night Coverage from “Go Cubs!”
PHOTOS: Event Photos from GlitterGUTS.com

Chicago Side: Ryan Dempster’s Mound of Courage

Staff — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:08:10 +0000

“To be sure, baseball fans have always loved to hate the baddies, from Ty Cobb to Barry Bonds. But if you take the phrase “major league” to mean a first-class guy who displays ample heart and courage, then few fit the definition quite like Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster.” More…

- Lou Carlozo

Bennett

Staff — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:47:49 +0000

My son Bennett, was born on 6/19/07. When he was born he had breathing issues and spent 8 days in the NICU. He was hospitalized 3 times for upper respiratory distress and pneumonia before he was diagnosed on 10/2007 at Texas Children’s Hospital… My Husband and I have traveled as far as New York to get answers. He is now 4 and a half years old and has daily struggles but is the happiest little boy you will ever meet! His strength and courage amazes me! He has health struggles which include the characteristic facial features, immune deficiency, speech and developmental delay, small mouth, tooth enamel damage, small features, hearing loss, foot and leg pain, sleep apnea, OCD, anxiety, and growth delay to name a few. He has had 8 surgeries and we are currently planning his 9th for a lower jaw mandibular distraction in a couple months. As parents of VCFS/DiGeorge Children, we need support so badly! Please spread the word and lets get the attention of so many more people and make them aware of these special angels! I would love to one day answer the question,”What is wrong with your son?” and the other person know what the syndrome is! Thank you!

Dempster Goes on Casino Night Press Tour

Staff — Mon, 07 May 2012 16:44:31 +0000

The Dempster Family Foundation Casino Night fundraiser is May 9 so Monday Ryan Dempster went around Chicago to hit the airwaves and talk about the upcoming event.

At Casino Night Guests will step back in time for a night on the town in “Old Chicago” and mingle with Ryan, Jenny, the Chicago Cubs and other celebrity friends from the sports and entertainment industries. Enjoy a full spread of delectable dishes and open bar, along with a unique live and silent auction, fun casino games and entertainment to help raise funds to help “Strike Out 22Q” and support other children’s charities in Chicago.

The Foundation is dedicated to raising awareness of 22q11.2 deletion (DiGeorge Syndrome/VCFS) and reaching out to families with children with the disorder, and the charities that support them, to help them deal with difficult situations they face each day.

Tickets purchased will be available at will call on the night of the event.

Dempster Family Foundation’s third annual Casino Night fundraiser is coming up on May 9th!

VIDEO: Midday Fix: Ryan Dempster Family Foundation

Cubs.com: Dempster 3rd annual Casino night May 9

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:45:08 +0000

EDITOR’S NOTE: This originally appeared on Cubs.com. Click here for full content.

One week from tonight, the third annual Casino Night will be held at the Palmer House Hilton Chicago to raise money for the Ryan & Jenny Dempster Foundation. The event includes a live auction, and among the items to bid on is a baseball autographed by Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, which was donated by Steve Sutherland of Naperville, Ill. Last year, Sutherland donated a ball autographed by Ruth which sold for $21,000.

“I figured we had to top that,” Sutherland said.

He had never met Dempster before donating the baseballs to the foundation.

“I can do this or [the ball] can sit in my house,” Sutherland said. “It can do much more for them.”

- Carrie Muskat

Sun Times: Ryan Dempster Foundation’s ‘Casino Night’

Staff — Thu, 03 May 2012 11:42:33 +0000

Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster and wife Jenny are hosting the Third Annual “Dempster Foundation Casino Night” May 9 at the Palmer House Hilton. “American Idol” finalist Crystal Bowersox and local crooner John Vincent, who is a mainstay at the Ditka Restaurant, will entertain the guests. The dealers will be most of the Cubs players including Geovany Soto, Randy Wells, Starlin Castro, Kerry Wood and Darwin Barney.

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in the Chicago Sun-Times . Click here for full content.