The Canadian Champion, Friday, February 18, 2005-Bl Concert to help ili-striecken local infant By STEPHANIE THIESSEN Thse Champion The world can seem like a rather dismal place when your one-year-old son - your fsrst and only child - is diagnosed with an extremely rare and devastating disease. .It cao also seem, beautiful especially when people you've neyer met surround you with sustaining love and support. It's a paradox that's been parsicularly evi- dent lately to Peter antd Melissa Papaioannou, owners of Campbellville's Trail Eatery. It was just three months ago that their son, Michael, was diagnosed with Lesch- Nyhan Disease (LND), a rare disorder caused by a genetic mutation of the X chro- mosome. He's one of the youngest people An the world to he diagnosed, bis father said. Michael was diagnosed by specialists in Boston, and il was just as the young hus- band and wife were trying to, wrap their minds around the news that they were approached by area resident Donna Danielli. She'd heard ahout the couple's plight and wanted to help. "We can't help with the diagnosis. That's An God's hands. But why don't we help you with the finances?" That's what Ms Danidlli said she remem- bers asking Mr. Papaioannou. That heartfelt offer was the beginning of an endeavour that quickly snowballed. What started as a smnall fundraising concert eventually became a completely sold-out night of dinner and music. The event will take place tomorrow in the Gambrel ban at Country Henitage Park. Not onîy have aIl 400 tickets been sold, there's a 50-person waiting list. Ms Danielli said as soon as she began making phone calîs about the concert, it was clear there were scores of people want- ing to help. The generous community response has lefi thc Papaioannous alrnost speechless. "It's phenomnenal. I can't believe the community support," Mr. Papaioannou said, struggAng for words. "It's a wonderful feeling that thc comn- munity has comne together to help our little boy." People with LND suifer fromn a wide variety of symptoms, and Uic severity dif- fers from patient to patient. Renal dysfunc- tion and a range of neurological abnonnal- ities, including compulsive self injury, are among the symptoms that characterize Uic disease. At tis point, Michael docsn't have any of Uic behavionral difficulties or self-injur- ing tendencies, Ms Papaioannou said. However, Uic 14-monUi-old bas Uic motor akilis of a newbomn. He can't hold a bottle, and just recently sat up for the firsi Lime on his own. Most likely, be'll neyer walk. Since the disease is so rare, the Papaioannous wiII bc traveling back and forth to a San Diego researcb facility. "Wc decidcd to, pursue tis in the States, *sas PROCEEDS on page B2 Now REAh NEha SOEAE LOCAIONbe aThes bya Funlain cocrta Monr ihagel Park e &oor -TNE HqTE BvrAMPTONsda 57 OOLTES on ALMIEL HaG INkoO MOING AmRA epo i! Ol $5 455O729 nLAS a FulIy Lioenced child Caoe a Care Available 2-5 Days/Week m Arts, Crafls, Computers i Caring ECE Staff qAges6 weeksto 6 Years " Field Trips, Special Evenls " Nutrillous Meals and Snacks " Ministsy Recognized Kindergarten Pogamus wXekoeia Child Care Centre Aew0scw www.O P joe ekboo idco op in for a tour anytilŽj No Appointments I .pRequired enMon - Fri, 7am - 6pm SteMAve~ MILTON LOCATIONJ -905.693.4873 8 Other Locations to sev You 1 "Qti,ýilitN ('11ild Carv Yoll Call sce!*ýj