Brothers, Gavin and Gabriel Bender from Delmar, join us in the studio with their mom Rebecca to share their story of living with rare diseases.
Gavin has severe allergies. He was diagnosed with a rare, incurable disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. This disease causes white blood cells to build up in the esophagus and attack foods, and allergens, as if they are a virus.
Gavin can only eat chicken, boiled carrots, and boiled white potatoes. Gavin is also allergic to nearly everything – all animals, molds, grass, trees, dust, and the list goes on. Gavin gets 98% of his nutrition from an amino based formula through a feeding tube.
Gabriel is a 17-month-old boy with Mitochondrial Disease. This disease is considered the invisible inside killer. Most kids looks completely normal until the mito progresses. Mito affects your body from head to toe, breaking down and killing the muscles in your organs.
Rebecca says that not loosing hope has gotten her family this far and keeps them in good spirits.
There is a spaghetti dinner, dance, and silent auction on August 27 at the Delmar VFW. Doors open at 4:30 dinner will be from 5-7 p.m. There is a dance and silent auction to follow at 7 pm. The band Southern Outlaws will be playing. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at door and carry out is available. If you want to attend the dance and silent auction, entry fee will be $5. Tickets can be purchased at Advance Auto Parts in Delmar or contact me Rebecca at 302-259-2028.
