www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 15, 2008 - 3 Brother Bear is inspiration for Sick Kids fundraiser By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Team Brother Bear is following through with Austin Brasil's vision. Austin, who has been battling with a brain tumor for the past four years, was able to raise $5,000 for Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children's pediatric brain cancer research unit in late May, this year. But when his condition took a turn for the worse, brother Addison Brasil, along with the rest of Team Brother Bear, took it upon themselves to keep Austin's fundraising goals rolling. A recent garage sale held by Team Brother Bear, saw $3,000 raised to initiate the startup costs of the Team Brother Bear charity, which is dedicated to continue with Austin's charitable visions. Tonight, the charity will hold its first annual Gala Event at Empire Banquet Hall in Toronto. And the response from the community has left both the charity's board members and Austin smiling. "We're just selling out," said Addison. "We've sold about 480 tickets just from word of mouth." The event will run from 6 p.m. SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER BROTHER BEAR: Team Brother Bear, with its inspiration, Austin Brasil (at centre) is preparing for its first gala fundraiser tonight for Toronto's Hospital for Sick Children's pediatric brain cancer research. to 1:30 a.m. and will include dinner, dancing and a silent auction, all of which are dedicated to the charity's inspiration: Austin. While Austin's condition is slowly worsening, according to big brother Addison, he plans to attend the event, health permitting. In the past few months, Austin's condition has deteriorated significantly. He has lost his short-term memory and spends the majority of his day resting. "I come up and tell him stuff (about the charity) and I just get a thumbs up or a thumbs down," said Addison. Nonetheless, Austin is always welcoming of the many visitors ~ Advertorial ~ that come to see him. "Our doors are always open," explained Addison. "He gets tons and tons of visitors and they're always welcome," he said, adding that Austin enjoys company, even if he's napping. Addison and a group of close friends established Team Brother Bear in order to give support to Austin and others in his situation. "Austin's condition is something I can't take control of, but the charity is our way of supporting him," Addison said. The name of the charity was derived from Austin's household nickname, Brother Bear. While the $3,000 raised during the garage sale went to the startup costs of the charity, Team Brother Bear hopes to use the money raised from its first annual event to help the families of those who are suffering from a brain tumor. Austin was born with neurofibromatosis (NF1), a disorder that occurs in one in every 4,000 births. The condition causes tumors -- neurofibromas -- to grow on nerve tissues. After a routine MRI, doctors also discovered that he has a brain tumor. He is currently on an antibiotic medication that may replace chemotherapy, depending on how well his body responds to the treatment. Sadly, at this time, Austin's new treatment does not appear to be effective at slowing the progression of his tumor. To donate to the charity, or to visit Austin, contact Team Brother Bear at teambrotherbear@hotmail.com. DO YOU HATE WEARING DENTURES? · LOOSE FITTING, SORE, OR UNCOMFORTABLE DENTURES? · LIMITED FOOD SELECTION & DIFFICULTY EATING? · EMBARASSING DENTURE MOMENTS? · SELF CONSCIOUS SMILE? If you can relate to any of the above scenarios, and are interested in learning how you can improve the quality of your life, then we can help. If you are a "Complete" or "Full" denture wearer... or if you are losing your remaining natural teeth, and contemplating Full dentures to replace them... 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