Benefit to help Lombard teen
Lombard teen Alex Pane has endured 17 major surgeries and numerous hospital stays in his 19 years, and he needs help if he is to undergo a critical organ transplant in the near future.
Nonprofit Children's Organ Transplant Association is spearheading a Night to Remember benefit dinner Friday, Oct. 10 at the Westin Hotel in Lombard. Auction items, monetary contributions and guests are sought to make the event successful. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. and include a five-course dinner, dancing and live and silent auctions. Reservations are due Saturday.
The COTA for Alex Team is working to raise $150,000 toward the cost of an intestinal transplant. Already, $52,000 has been raised through various events, said Marge Dushek, campaign coordinator and longtime family friend.
"He's one of the most inspiring people I've ever known," Dushek said. "I've never heard the young man ever complain. He just has this contagious personality. He's just so upbeat ... so positive."
Pane was born with an intestinal condition that renders him unable to digest food normally.
He's undergone 17 major surgeries and gets his nutrition intravenously. His medical bills average $100,000 annually and he has used $1.4 million of the $2 million lifetime cap on his state insurance coverage, a program established for people who are unable to get private health insurance.
The transplant, which is planned to occur as soon as an organ becomes available at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle, is expected to cost $600,000 or more. Pane is already staying with relatives on the West Coast and is expected to remain in the area for roughly five months afterward, Dushek said. He'll also need ongoing medical care for the rest of his life.
"They have a lot of expenses. The bills keep going," Dushek said.
Through all of it, Pane has and remains as active as his body allows.
He took advanced courses while attending Glenbard East High School in Lombard, where he played volleyball. As a junior, he played on the varsity squad that took third in the state finals.
Since graduating in 2007, he has gone on to attend College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn part-time with the goal of becoming a pharmacist one day because he wants to help people, Dushek said.
"He's game for anything," Dushek said. "He always has said this ailment has made him who he is today, has made him a strong person. He's an incredible person."
Friends and family - which includes Dad Lary, Mom Colleen, and brothers, Nicholas and Anthony-are rallying for him.
"It's going to be a beautiful, beautiful event," Dushek said.
Cocktails and the silent auction begin at 7 p.m., followed by a five-course dinner at 8:30 p.m., a sweets bar and dancing to the tunes of Confetti six-piece band until midnight. Auction items include a motor scooter, original artwork, jewelry, a Myrtle Beach golf package, weekend stays at Chicago hotels, Lake Michigan cruises and children's packages.
"We have some really wonderful items ... something for everyone," Dushek said.
For tickets, call Dushek at (630) 841-3369 or visit COTAForAlexP.com to help.
How you can help
• Donate an auction item or a monetary donation
• Refer individuals or businesses that might donate an item or money or attend
• Attend the event at $110 per person or get a group to buy a table for 10. The deadline is Saturday.
• Volunteer at the event
• Join the COTA for Alex Team to help with his plight
• Send a tax-deductible donation to COTA for Alex Team to Marge Dushek at 801 Warrenville Road, Suite 175, Lisle, IL 60543