Church to hold Oktoberfest to help Palatine family's medical bills
On Saturday, Oct. 12, Ascension Lutheran Church is holding an Oktoberfest charity event for Alexa Mang of Palatine, to help assist with the costs of the little girl's medical bills.
The event will take place at the church, 7429 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles, at 5 p.m. Admission is $40.
The Oktoberfest event will feature raffles, traditional German music by Alpine Thunder and a Bier and Cigar Garten. Ascension Lutheran Church will also provide free child care. Monetary and material donations for raffles are appreciated and tax deductible.
Alexa Mang was born with a rare one in 1,000,000 leg deformity called Tibial Hemimelia. Normally when it is found, it's only present in one leg. Alexa has it in both, and she presents two different types of the deformity. Her family has sought out treatment in Chicago and doctors recommended bilateral amputation.
Alexa's parents have decided they need to give reconstruction a chance and try to save her legs and feet. The only concern with the surgeries is that it could compromise her fragile heart, which has already been through so much, as well as her solitary kidney.
"Doctors everywhere recommended amputation. But her mother is determined to get Alexa up on her feet so she may someday walk, someday run, someday walk down the aisle," said Mary Redman, a Chicago actress and friend of the Mang family.
In late 2018 and early 2019, at the cost of $400,000, Alexa successfully went through a series of reconstructive surgeries and now wears braces on her legs and is going through physical therapy.
If you would like help Alexa, corporate sponsorships are also available in the form of three different tiers: Platinum sponsorship for $400; Gold sponsorship $250; a $100 Silver sponsorship; and a $50 Appreciate sponsor. All donations are tax-deductible.
A GoFundMe page has also been established in connection with this event. Visit www.gofundme.com/f/oktoberfest-for-alexa.
For information about Alexas Oktoberfest fundraiser, contact Matthew.gunia@yahoo.com or (847) 647-9867.
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