Carnival to Raise Money to Battle Rare Disease

A day of fun and games at Scott Township Park is being planned to benefit a local family with two young sons who are battling a rare disease.

senior Kasey Fiedler organized the Field Day Fundraisers for Aug. 20 to benefit the Grady Family and hopes it is an opportunity for kids to help other children in need.

The family’s two young sons, Drew, 7, and Trent, 4, have Batten disease, which robs the body of protein and leads to muscle deterioration. Kasey said the chances of a child being diagnosed with Batten’s is 3 out of 100,000.

“It’s weird that those two brothers in the same family have it,” she said.

She first got the idea to help the family after learning they held a charity golf tournament in the area last month. She met with the family at their Upper St. Clair home and wanted the proceeds from her Field Day at Scott Park to go treatment for the children.

“I just hope everyone is aware of what this family is going through,” Kasey said. “We’re just trying to raise awareness for this disease and this family, because they really need it.”

The event starts at 10 a.m. on Aug. 20 and costs $10 for kids to play various carnival games, win prizes and enjoy refreshments. Kasey said people interested in attending the event should contact her by Friday to register. She can be reached by phone at 412-316-7377 or e-mail at kasey.fiedler@yahoo.com.

The event is geared toward kids from kindergarten to sixth grade, but others can attend to enjoy the carnival atmosphere and refreshments. Some of the games include shooting basketballs, pucks and soccer balls into goals and having water balloon tosses or snaking through an obstacle course. Winners can turn in their tickets with a chance to win an iTunes gift card, or parents can participate in a Chinese auction.

For more information about the event and the Grady Family, go to www.gradysallstars.com.