Chicago Cubs, Celebrities and Musicians Turn Out to Help Ryan Dempster Raise Awareness about the Genetic Disorder 22q Deletion

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 05/31/2012 -- Major league baseball player Ryan Dempster, the Chicago Cubs, Crystal Bowersox, WWF Champion CM Punk and National Baseball Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, along with some of the biggest names in baseball, hit a homerun by raising more than $350,000 for the Dempster Foundation at the third annual Casino Night and auction.

The Dempster Foundation supports families of children diagnosed with 22q deletion, a disorder caused by a micro-deletion of the 22nd chromosome. Present in one out of every 4,000 live births, symptoms range from mild to life-threatening. 22q deletion often goes undiagnosed; but, it is almost as common as Down Syndrome, a widely recognized chromosomal disorder. The Dempster's daughter, Riley, was born with the disorder in 2009.

"We were once again overwhelmed with the tremendous support from my teammates, sponsors, fans and celebrity guests who came together to raise money to benefit the Foundation and strike out 22q," said Ryan Dempster, Chicago Cubs starting pitcher. "Everyone supporting this event has made a profound difference by helping to create a better today and a brighter tomorrow for families like us dealing with 22q."

About 600 celebrities and guests attended the Casino Night party and auction, held at Chicago's Palmer House on Wednesday, May 9. Chicago Cubs players such as Kerry Wood, Alfonso Soriano, Matt Garza and front office executives including Theo Epstein, Coach Dale Sveum and more served as Casino dealers throughout the evening. Co-host of ABC 7's Windy City LIVE, Ryan Chiaverini served as emcee, along with Eric Ferguson and Kathy Hart, hosts of the Eric & Kathy Show on WTMX-FM The MIX. NBC 5's Stefan Holt and Daniella Guzman also served as celebrity hosts. Of the hundreds of items available through a live and silent auction, a 2012 World Series trip sold for $40,000 and an authentic Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig autographed baseball sold for $21,000. Proceeds from the baseball will benefit the new Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago.

American Idol runner-up and singer/songwriter Crystal Bowersox, Chicago favorite John Vincent, the Chicago Mustangs Dance Team and Miss. Illinois Scholarship Foundation provided entertainment. The event also featured food stations by Mercat a la Planxa and Wildfire, custom cupcakes by Cupcakes for Courage and beverages from William Grant and Sons and Budweiser.

"The 22q disorder is tough on families and it's important for them to know they have resources like the Dempster Foundation available," said Dempster. "Events like this do more than raise money, they raise awareness. That awareness can be priceless for families impacted by this disorder."

To date, the Foundation's annual Casino Night has raised a record $885,000 in support of 22q and other Chicagoland charities.

About The Dempster Foundation
The Dempster Foundation provides financial support to charities in the Chicagoland area and to families of children diagnosed with a 22q11.2 deletion. On the 22q side, the Foundation empowers organizations to help children with this disorder overcome difficult situations through: providing funding to continue research for early detection of this disorder in children; supporting programs about 22q that provide education, physical therapy and activity to promote long-term well being; creating initiatives that build and instill confidence in these children; and developing a 22q network for families affected by this disorder to share stories and help navigate healthcare options and treatment.

For more information about the Foundation, please visit the website at http://www.dempsterfoundation.org, follow the Foundation's Twitter steam or their Facebook page.

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Foundation to Host Fundraiser at the Palmer House to Support Children and Families Affected by 22q11.2 Deletion and Other Chicagoland Charities in Need

Chicago, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/16/2012 -- Authentic baseball signed by baseball legends Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig will be featured in the Live Auction at the Dempster Foundation Casino Night. The baseball, donated by The Sutherland Family, was obtained from the Heritage Auction Galleries, and comes with a certificate of authentication by James Spence Authentication, one of the top authenticators in sports memorabilia. Through the Dempster Family Foundation proceeds from the sale of the baseball will benefit Children's Memorial Hospital's new state-of-the-art facility, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, opening June 9th. Interested parties must be present to enter a bid on the baseball.

The Third Annual Dempster Foundation Casino Night is taking place Wednesday May 9, 2012 at the Palmer House Chicago. The night will include a VIP party from 6-7 PM and the main event in the Grand Ballroom starting at 7 PM. Guests will step back in time for a night on the town in "Old Chicago"—the theme for this year's event –mingling with Ryan, the Chicago Cubs and other celebrity friends from the sports and entertainment industries, enjoying a full spread of delectable dishes and delicious drinks, courtesy of Budweiser and William Grant and Sons, along with a unique live and silent auction, fun casino games, and entertainment –all to raise funds to help "Strike Out 22Q" and support other children's charities in Chicago.

In addition to the baseball, guests will have opportunities to bid on one-of-a-kind auction packages, experiences, and sports memorabilia. The silent and live auctions include a "Man Cave" Package from Abt valued at $3,000, a Don Mattingly autographed baseball bat, a 2 night stay at Reynolds Plantation Golf Resort and Spa in Georgia, a Fergie Jenkins and Ryan Dempster autographed stadium seat, a NASCAR race experience from Chicagoland Speedway, a Sammy Sosa autographed baseball, a behind the scenes tour of the MLB Network, among other autographed items and specialty gift certificates. This special night will help Strike Out 22q and raise funds to support the Dempster Family Foundation.

Sponsor opportunities, as well as VIP and general admission tickets, are still available, but going fast. Please log on to the Foundation website for more information at http://www.dempsterfoundation.org.

Sponsors to date include our MVP sponsors: Aloha Document Services, Sloan Valve, Steve and Sheila Sutherland, William Grant and Sons, The Madonna Family and Budweiser; All Star Sponsors: Aria Vegas, Atlantis Cars & Limos, Inc., Bernie's Inc., Black Tie Formal Wear, Chicago Cubs, D'Agostinos, Merrill Lynch, Sidley Austin, and Tom and CeCe Ricketts; Dugout Sponsors: PMR, Landis Baseball Group, and Wildfire; and Fans of the Foundation: True Skin Care Center, Abt Electronics, Cupcakes for Courage, Candyality, Gold Coast Exotic Imports and Record-A-Hit Entertainment.

The Ryan and Jenny Dempster Family Foundation provides financial support to charities in the Chicagoland area which assist and comfort critically ill children. The Foundation also supports youth baseball programs, military families and animal shelters; and promotes awareness of, and offers hope for families of children diagnosed with a 22q11.2 deletion. On the 22q side, the Foundation empowers organizations to help children with this disorder overcome difficult situations through: providing funding to continue research for early detection of this disorder in children; supporting programs about 22q that provide education, physical therapy and activity to promote long-term well being; creating initiatives that build and instill confidence in these children; and developing a 22q network for families affected by this disorder to share stories and help navigate healthcare options and treatment. For more information about the Foundation, please visit our website at http://www.dempsterfoundation.org.

To learn more about this event, the Foundation in general, or to apply for a grant, please visit the Foundation website at: http://www.dempsterfoundation.org.

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