Please join us for a benefit to fund research on behalf of the five Chicago children who are bravely fighting Batten disease. Called “A Fifth Season.....Brightening the Landscape of Batten Disease.” A casual gala for a serious cause, the event will be held on Saturday, April 2, 2011, at 5:00pm at the Cotillion Banquets in Palatine, Illinois.

The five children are fighting Late Infantile Batten disease, an extremely rare, degenerative genetic disease. For the first few years, the kids developed normally, toddling, talking, and laughing like any other kids. Jasper (6) loved to explore… Bridget (6) always wanted to go-go-go... Ethan (6) had a passion for all things transportation related… Noah (6) loved playing with trains…and his sister Laine (5) adores playing dress up.

Unfortunately, everything changed quickly. Between the ages of 2 and 6, the children began to lose muscle coordination and experience seizures. Within a few years, they began losing their ability to speak, walk, and feed themselves as their little bodies slowly shut down. Eventually, children with Batten disease become blind, bedridden, and unable to communicate. At this time, Batten disease is terminal between the ages of 8 and 12.

If only there were more hours in the day, or a fifth season in the year, we would have more time to find a cure. And we would have more time for each of these special children to experience a childhood before Batten disease ruthlessly rips it away.

It is time to find a cure. It is our turn to help.

The Fifth Season fundraiser gala will provide a big benefit experience with a relaxed atmosphere, featuring fantastic live music, special appearances, impressive live and silent auctions, and an extensive appetizer, dessert, and open bar.

Dress for the event is casual. The cause is absolutely critical.

Please bring your friends, tell your neighbors, and spread the word about the Fifth Season event on Saturday, April 2, 2011. Together, we can help to find a cure.

A portion of your ticket price is tax deductible.                                                                             

Credit cards will be accepted for ticket purchases, donations and auction purchases.                 

Tickets can be purchased at the event for $75.00 each

All funds that are raised will go to The Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) to fund research specific to the type of Batten Disease that these five children are fighting. BDSRA is the largest support and research organization in North America for families that have children with the disease. It currently serves more than 1,200 families in countries including the United States, Canada, South America, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.