<%@LANGUAGE="JAVASCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> Untitled Document
  Cassie Curts Fundraiser August 11th, 2007  
   
 

Cassie Curts is a completely nommal 12 year little girl expect for the fact that she suffers from a disease called "Primary Hyperoxaluria". Basically, her liver is missing an enzyme that breaks down oxalate crystals in the body. For Cassie, the crystals accumulate in all of her organs; lungs, eyes, kidneys, etc.

Because of this, she gets kidney stones that have done extensive damage to her kidneys (30% is still functioning) and liver function. The way to cure the disease is to have a liver transplant, and she will also need a kidney transplant due to all of the damage. Cassie is currently near the top of the transplant list and awaiting a call to the Mayo Clinic in MN. Fortunately, Cassie's parents have Medical insurance, however that only will cover so much and does not include travel expensese, time off work, away from home in hotels, etc.

 
     
  The above is Cassie's Bio, The one I read before meeting this young lady this past weekend. She has Blonde hair, with blue eyes and a smile that will melt you. You can't tell from the surface what this little girl has gone through or is willing to face, but she has not let it get her down. She is positve, personable, and shy like any 12 year old girl. The first thing that strikes you is her BLUE EYES......Amazing.  
     
 

Let me tell you the story of how I got to be part of this weekend. Todd Yohn, the national touring comedian, a regular on the Bob and Tom show and a good friend invited me to do some shows with him and Jeff Bang in Brownsburg, Indiana. If you know Todd Yohn, you already know that he is one of the funniest comics you will ever meet. But besides being one of the funniest people I know, he has a heart the size of Texas. He has helped me out with my comedy career more times than I can count and when he asked me to be a part of these two fundraisers, I jumped at the chance! "Hell Yes! I am there!"

The first show was for the Gary M Smith Foundation in which Toddy sits on the board of directors. This is a fundraising event he does every year and golf outgoing in Brownsburg, Indiana which raises money for the Brownsburg High School for Scholarships and many other organizations like Juvenile Diabetes. Todd told me we were putting on a comedy show at the local American Legion and what a wonderful show it was. With 400 hundred people and closed out by Mr. Yohn. It was an amazing night with my first standing "O". The best show I think I have ever done and the crowd enjoyed every minute of the entire show. Toddy went up and rocked the night with a 1:45 minute set.

Thanks Toddy for letting me be there!

The second show in Brownsburg (Saturday night) was for Miss Cassie Curts. We got to the show in time to meet Cassie and her parents and aunts and uncles and grandparents and just about anyone that knows this little girl.

 
  What I wasn't ready for was to meet the most sincerely sweet young lady with the bluest eyes I think I have ever seen. She was obviously shy and intimidated by us, but probably more awkward because she knew we were there to do a show in her honor and she didn't know what to say to us.  
  That or the fact that the three of us look like some sort of traveling circus side show act. Jeff Bang is bald but has the start of a ZZ TOP beard. Todd describes Jeff as an UPSIDE DOWN DON KING, Myself, a redneck Italian with an oversized "J LO" booty and Cowboy boots and Todd Yohn, best described as a human cartoon. Tall and lanky, bald, and facial expressions that can get you laughing before he even speaks a word!!!!!  
   
  Cassie seemed honored to have us performing for her benefit and thank GOD Toddy took the lead on speaking to her. Jeff and I stood back and listened to Toddy as he told her we were going to go in there and help raise money for her and we were glad she asked us to be a part of it. As they were talking, I couldn't help but see a young lady that looked no different than any other 12 year old but obviously had endured more than any child should have to experience. I was TOTALLY MOVED and emotional.  
  I managed to keep my composer and give her a hug and we got our photos with her. Have you ever wanted to make the world stop spinning for about an hour so you could take the time to really get to know someone. I just wanted to hug her and let her know everything was going to be OK. What a first impression and to be that moved by a 12 year old.  
 

So Three of us go back in to do the show and we all went our separate ways. Toddy one way, Jeff another way and me into a corner somewhere. All Three of us were a mess. We couldn't speak or think or function without a few moments to collect our thoughts and get a grip. Toddy finally circled the wagons and collected us up. We met the parents of Cassie (wonderful people) and aunts and uncles and grandparents and spent some time really understanding what we were doing and finding out the stories about Cassie and the operations and how she is one strong cookie that hasn't stopped. She is one of the best on her Softball team and loves the game.

 
   
 

The show was great, but the point is this. Hug your children daily and appreciate the little victories in life. Show some love for another human being and walk a mile in the shoes of someone less fortunate than you. Seek out someone you can make a difference for and do something about it. She is an amazing little girl, but in a fight that needs help.

 
  Read this if nothing else!!!!  
 

Cassie’s aunt helped her make and design rubber bracelets, similar to the LiveStrong ones made popular by Lance Armstrong. They’re purple with symbols meaning “live, laugh, and love,” and are being sold for $2 each in local Brownsburg stores, such as R & R Music Central and Wilkinson Insurance Agency.

Cassie said it makes her feel good that so many people are trying to help her get well. As for the bracelet phrase, she said she “saw that phrase a lot at school and in magazines.”

Anyone who would like to make a tax-deductible donation may do so at any State Bank of Lizton branch, by asking to contribute to the Cassidy Curts Special Needs Trust Fund.

Or by contacting Jill Brocker jsbbrocker@aol.com or at 317-852-3609

or

Jenni Brocker redgirl0865@yahoo.com or at 317-858-5379.

lindsay.spaulding@flyergroup.com

  
     
     
  In closing,  
  I spent a weekend with Todd Yohn and experienced a weekend of a life time that I was moved by. I was doing him a favor and come to find out, he just did me another favor I could never repay.  
     
  Droopy Drew Donisi