Fundraiser to benefit family

Published 10:02 am Thursday, May 14, 2009

Holiday Inn Austin will host a fundraiser with silent auction for primary immune deficiency and the Caleb Baird Wellness Fund Saturday, May 30.

Proceeds will go to help send the child and his mother, Stephanie, to the Immune Deficiency Foundation national conference at Orlando, Fla., so they can meet parents and other patients and learn more about the disease that has no cure.

Caleb Baird is 8 years old and was diagnosed with the disease more than three years ago.

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“I have known Caleb and Stephanie for over five years and they are a very big part of my life, so this hits particularly close to home,” said Dwayne Osterhout, general manager Holiday Inn Austin.

“As much as I am able with a very busy position, I try to make it for treatment at Mayo Clinic every other Monday, which lasts a minimum of 10 hours,” Osterhout said. “This is very similar to a cancer patient’s chemotherapy with all the sickness that ensues; however, there will be no remission.

“Caleb also has a number of other health-related issues that are caused in relation to this illness that keeps out of school upward of 60 percent of the time,” Osterhout said.

Donations of cash, checks or items that can be used at the silent auction May 30 are being requested.

The silent auction will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on the upper deck of Torge’s Live, where light snacks will be served.

There will be door prizes and the band Good for Gary will perform beginning at 9:30 p.m. The cover charge of $3 per person will be donated for the fundraiser.

Any donations my be forwarded to Holiday Inn Austin, attention Dwayne Osterhout, at 1701 Fourth St. N.W.

All check donations should be made out to Caleb Baird Wellness Fund.

An account under that same name has been set up at Wells Fargo Bank in Austin.

For more information about the event, call Osterhout at 433-1000.