|
||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
University of Iowa News Release
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
|
March 13, 2008 Aiming For a Cure event helps families affected by childhood cancer Now in its fifth year, Aiming for a Cure hopes to top previous gifts to help the fight against pediatric cancer at University of Iowa Children's Hospital. The hunting and sporting clays event will occur March 15-16 at the Highland Hideaway Hunt Club near Riverside. A number of celebrities will be on hand for the sold-out bird hunting and sporting clay event.
"We are thrilled to be able to create ways to help foster more research into a cure for cancer as well as support daily programs for children and families," Ries said. Ben Ries, 12, died June 1, 2005, at his family's home in Central City.
"His memory lives on through this event, and every day at the hospital someone may have a better day because of Ben's planning," said Lisa Baum, director of Children's Miracle Network at the UI. Hunters and nonhunters will join for a banquet at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Sheraton Iowa City Hotel. An auction featuring hunting trips, equipment, vehicles and even a one-of-a-kind Larry Zach print will be featured. Details of the weekend are available at http://www.aimingforacure.com. Proceeds will support research, patient care and families of children receiving treatment for cancer. For more information, contact Lisa Baum with Children's Miracle Network at 319-335-8484. University of Iowa Children's Hospital serves children and their families at its main campus in Iowa City and satellite clinics in communities throughout Iowa. A 190-bed "hospital within a hospital," UI Children's Hospital benefits from the sophisticated services and comprehensive resources of UI Hospitals and Clinics. Child magazine ranks UI Children's Hospital among the top 20 children's hospitals in the nation. STORY SOURCE: Joint Office for Marketing and Communications, University of Iowa Health Care, 200 Hawkins Drive, Room E110 GH, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1009 MEDIA CONTACT: Tom Moore, 319-356-3945, thomas-moore@uiowa.edu
|
||||||||||||||||||||||
Steve Ries, father of cancer patient Ben Ries (left) of Central City, organized Aiming for a Cure to support the hospital's bone marrow transplant program through an activity he and his son enjoyed -- hunting with dogs.
Before he died, Ben (family photo, right) listed items that he thought would benefit kids at the UI Children's Hospital. His wish list was turned into reality through an Aiming for a Cure shopping spree. Patients now are enjoying his various ideas for distraction and entertainment.