The Michigan Bucks present...Goals For Dakota
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| March 2004 |
June 2005 |
May 2008 |
To find the Cure for Tay-Sachs disease!Tay-Sachs is ALWAYS fatal in children
The Michigan Bucks have teamed up with the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation to raise $1,000,000 to fund the research and clinical trials necessary to find the cure for Tay-Sachs disease. Tay-Sachs is a genetic degenerative neurological disease that is ALWAYS fatal in children. Children with Tay-Sachs lack a vital enzyme needed to remove waste from the brain. As waste accumulates brain cells swell, malfunction and die causing mental and physical capabilities to deteriorate ending in death.
The Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation (CTSF) was founded by Ken and Julie Bihn of Olmsted Falls, OH in 2007 with the hope of finding a cure for their eight year old daughter Dakota. Most Tay-Sachs children die by the age of 5. Dakota, deemed the “HOPE CHILD”, had a cord blood transplant in January 2006 to try and slow the disease by replacing her blood system. Although the disease progresses, Dakota is amazingly ready to celebrate her ninth birthday May 30, 2008.
Beginning with the Bucks first game on May 17, the Bucks are proud to present our first major fund raiser of the year called GOALS FOR DAKOTA to help save Dakota and all the other dying children with this disease. The Bucks are asking for pledges from all over the world to donate money for each goal they score during their sixteen regular season games. (The team has averaged 50 goals per year). All pledges will be collected in August by the CTSF and 100% of the money collected will fund the medical research that is currently underway. The CTSF has partnered with the Tay-Sachs Gene Therapy (TSGT) Consortium. The TSGT is a group of specialized medical doctors and scientists from Harvard Medical School, Cambridge University in Massachusetts General Hospital, Auburn University and Boston College. The consortium has had enormous success dealing with Tay-Sachs disease in animal models. The belief is that similar success can be replicated in humans but that theory needs to be scientifically proven through further research and clinical trials. We must fund that work to save Dakota.
Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm became the eighth governor in the to sign a proclamation declaring Tay-Sachs month. She has gratefully honored the Buck’s request and proclaimed May 2008 as Tay-Sachs Awareness Month in Michigan to help raise Tay-Sachs awareness. One in every 27 Ashkenazi Jews and French Canadians carry the Tay-Sachs gene; one in 50 Irish Americans, and 1 in every 250 people in the carry the deadly Tay-Sachs gene. When researchers find a cure for Tay-Sachs disease, the research will have significant impact for up to 70 other neurological diseases, including Parkinsons and Alzheimers.
To learn more about Dakota’s story click here. Pledging money for GOALS FOR DAKOTA is easy- just click here and fill out the form. As a bonus for Bucks fans, at the last home game on July 17 the Bucks will be doing a random drawing for several great prizes for those who help with this campaign. Prizes will include future Bucks tickets, Columbus Crew tickets to see David Beckham and the ULTIMATE GRAND PRIZE will be an autographed soccer jersey from ANY player in Major League Soccer or the US National Team. The Bucks are happy to give some lucky person the shirt off their favorite players back just for helping save the dying children with Tay-Sachs disease.
You can learn more about the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation at www.curetay-sachs.org. The CTSF is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. All donations are tax deductible.
COMING THIS FALL: ULTIMATE SPORTS AUCTION TO CURE TAY-SACHS
What is turning out to be one of the largest online auctions in the world of autographed sports memorabilia is currently in progress. The CTSF is looking for donated autographed sports equipment and uniforms from ANY level team or player- past or present. You donate the items and we will find the audience to make the bids! CLICK HERE for further details of this grand event, which will conclude with a black tie dinner on Saturday, November 8, 2008. Thank you for your support in helping us surpass our goal of raising $1,000,000 this year to find the cure for Tay-Sachs- a disease that is ALWAYS fatal in children.
CLICK HERE TO SEE DAKOTA’S STORY
DONATE NOW BY CLICKING HERE
 
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Goals for Dakota
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| Make a pledge to help Cure Tay-Sachs disease for every goal the Bucks score! |
| If you pledge $1 and the team scores 50 goals, you donate $50 to the Cure Tay-Sachs Foundation, you get a tax deduction, and you will be entered into a drawing to WIN AN AUTOGRAPHED JERSEY from any MLS or US Soccer player. |
| The Bucks are making history again, and you can be a part of it! Tay-Sachs is ALWAYS fatal in children, but we can change that. Score a win for the children! |
TO DONATE ONLINE and follow our progress please go to
www.buckssoccer.com or www.CureTay-Sachs.org
or download the order form by clicking here (pdf.)
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