Local Charity Hosts Cocktail Party Fundraiser for Lemont Girl Battling Brain Tumor

As a member of the local nonprofit "One for the Kids," Lemont resident Dan Irwin is no stranger to helping children in need.

The charity group was founded in 1993 by seven men who simply wanted to give back some of their own good fortune. Over the past 20 years, they have made annual donations to organizations like Special Children's Charities of Chicago, Benton House Community, Special Olympics and Hope Children's Advocate Heart Hospital.

This year, however, One for the Kids is taking on a project that hits Irwin much closer to home.

On Saturday, April 28, the organization will host its fourth annual cocktail party fundraiser, which benefits Illinois families in need. This year, the event will be held in honor of Ellie Cuiching, a 7-year-old Lemont girl who was diagnosed last year with a life-threatening brain tumor.

Irwin nominated the Cuichings for the cocktail party last fall after hearing about Ellie's tumor and the financial hardships facing the family.

"I don't know how you could hear Ellie's story and not want to do everything you can to help," Irwin said. "This is a family that is facing unbelievable medical and financial challenges. I knew they had a good shot of being selected for our spring fundraiser."

Ellie's mom, Kyle Cuiching, said she was stunned when she heard the good news.

"I can't even describe how excited and truly grateful I am that this group has taken our family under their wings," Kyle said. "The entire Lemont community has been so supportive ever since Ellie was diagnosed. I feel blessed to live in a town where everyone does so much for others."

In January 2011, doctors discovered a large tumor covering almost the entire right side of Ellie’s brain. The official diagnosis was a Grade II or III pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), which doctors called “extremely rare.”

After two operations, neurosurgeons at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago were only able to remove 98 percent of the tumor. Ellie, then 6, immediately began chemotherapy treatment, and went on to have her third surgery Sept. 27.

So far, doctors have yet to find a course of treatment to control the aggressive tumor.

“A good portion of the tumor is still on her brain stem, and we had an MRI that showed it’s still growing,” Kyle said. “She’s on a new chemo regimen now. We’re just hoping and praying that it treatment works, because we don’t know what happens after this.”

The medical bills continue to pile up for the Cuichings—Kyle suffers from multiple sclerosis (MS) and her husband, Dave has severe asthma and allergies. Meanwhile, they are also dealing with mold damage in their house, which was caused by a flood late last year.

“When it rains it pours, but we’re hanging in there,” Kyle said. “The cocktail party is coming at exactly the right time.”

The fundraiser will be held from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Hyatt Lodge in Oakbrook Terrace. Tickets are $90 per person, or $160 for couples. Ticket price includes an open bar, appetizers, desserts, wine tasting by Cooper’s Hawk, a martini bar, entertainment by the Paul Windsor Orchestra, a silent auction and more.

Raffle tickets are also available for $10 each. The first-place winner will receive a three-night stay in Las Vegas, the second-place winner gets a 43-inch flat-screen television, and third place wins $200 to Phil Stefani’s Restaurants.

Irwin and his fellow One for the Kids board members have been planning the cocktail party for months, soliciting donations and lining up raffle prizes. He hopes to raise at least $50,000 for the Cuichings.

“The whole idea behind the cocktail party is that it’s a good time for a good cause,” Irwin said. “It’s going to be a blast, but we don’t want to forget the reason we’re there, which is to lend a hand to a very deserving family.”

Kyle and Dave Cuiching will be escorted to the event in a limo, and will enjoy an overnight stay at the Hyatt, courtesy of One for the Kids. 

“We really want to dote on them and make sure they have a special night,” Irwin said. “If only for a few hours, we want them to enjoy themselves.”

For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, visit www.oneforthekids.org.