On Saturday, November 8 the ISYL and friends of the Garry family will be hosting a benefit to help defray costs the family has endured related to Catriona Garry's transplant operation.  This was Catriona's second transplant surgery.  Eleven years ago she was diagnosed with a condition called Alpa-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Disease (AIAD) which affected her liver and resulted in her having a liver transplant which was successful.  A couple of years ago, doctors discovered that she also had Polycystic Kidney Disease unrelated to the AIAD which resulted in her needing a kidney transplant. Her father Ollie was a match. On September 9, 2008 Ollie donated one of his kidneys to her at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. The transplant was a success.  Last year Catriona was also diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. 

Ollie is the sole bread winner for the family and will be out of work for some time.  Joan, Catriona's mom, does not work since Catriona's in constantly in and out of the hospital for check ups and lung issues related to the AIAD.  Ollie is always giving his time up for the youth league by organizing many of our fundraisers, coaching the U16 team, and whatever else we need help with. 

The benefit will be held at the Irish Cultural Centre beginning at 7:00 pm.  We will have a Silent Auction, Raffles and plenty of great music.  Joe Moriarty is dusting off the equipment and has graciously volunteered to play that evening. 

We need your help.  We are in the process of printing $20 Raffles tickets and they will be ready by the beginning of next week.  We are also in need of prizes for the silent auction and raffle tables. 

Here is an example of items that tend to bring in a great deal of money on the auction block:  hotel stays/packages, restaurant gift certificates, spa packages, baskets filled to pamper, sports tickets, museum passes, autographed items, week/weekend stays at vacation homes or time shares, iPods, etc. (really, ANYTHING, you can think of). We are also accepting monetary donations.  Checks can be made out to The Catriona Garry Benefit Fund. 

We have a letter prepared that you can use to hand out to individuals to request donations.  Please contact Ellen Joyce at 617-515-2287 for a copy or if you have any questions.

Whatever you can do to help will be greatly appreciated.   Thank you.