A very successful fundraiser was held recently for a two-year-old Weyburn boy with severe autism.
The boy, Benz Fladeland, travelled with his parents Mindy and Clint Fladeland to Mexico on January 15 to receive his first stem cell transplant procedure, at a cost of $30,000 USD. The same evening, a fundraiser was held for the family at Radville Regional High School, where enough money was raised through ticket and auction sales to pay for Benz's first treatment, future treatments, and therapy.
Organizer of the event and aunt to Benz, Deanna Schwindt, said it was a phenomenal night.
"We were flabbergasted and shocked by how many people wanted to help," said Schwindt. "The family is very thankful for all the support from everybody in southern Saskatchewan that helped in Benz's road to recovery."
Schwindt said that the family is already seeing signs of improvement from the first procedure and wants to plan for a second stem cell transplant.
Approximately 400 people attended the fundraiser, where over 150 silent auction items and about 50 live auction items were auctioned off.
The money will go towards the cost of Benz's first transplant, any possible future transplants which would cost $12,000 each, and therapy that could cost up to $60,000 a year.
