Local Charity Raises $30K for Cuiching Family

When Lemont resident Dan Irwin began working on the for his nonprofit, "One for the Kids," he wanted to make it the group's biggest and most successful event yet.

The party, held April 28 in Oakbrook Terrace, far exceeded his expectations, raising more than $30,000 for Ellie Cuiching, an 8-year-old Lemont girl who was .

"We had about 280 people come out to support the Cuichings," Irwin said. "It's the most we've ever raised for this event, and I think it's because of the overwhelming response from the Lemont community."

One for the Kids was founded in 1993 by seven men who simply wanted to give back some of their own good fortune. For the past four years, the annual cocktail party has raised thousands for Illinois families in need, as well as Special Children's Charities of Chicago, Benton House Community, Special Olympics and Hope Children's Advocate Heart Hospital.

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."

In April, 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 Cuiching 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."

Kyle wrote about the event on her blog, Love for Ellie.

"They definitely know how to throw a party," she wrote. "I felt so blessed to be surrounded by family, friends, community, and what my sister likes to call 'Ellie Groupies.' I cannot tell you how much fun we all had."

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 have continued  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.

The timing of the cocktail party could not have been better, Irwin said.

He credited the Cuiching's friends, family, neighbors and teachers for the event's overwhelming success.

"I am very proud of Lemont," Irwin said. "The town we live in is full of people who are always eager and willing to support this family and all charities. It's incredible."

For more on Ellie's story, visit www.loveforellie.com.

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