Published: June 17, 2009 03:04 pm      

Proffer fund raiser set for Friday

Friends of a local couple whose children are living with a devastating disease hope a benefit brings cash to help the struggling family.

Three of Robert and Mandi Proffer’s four children have cystic fibrosis.

Although the couple has medical insurance, their benefits cover only a fraction of the expenses related to their children’s treatment.

Two fund raisers are planned for the family.

The first is a fish fry sponsored by Muenster Knights of Columbus and the Myra Volunteer Fire Department. The fund raiser is scheduled for 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, June 19 at Muenster City Park.

Guests can count on live entertainment, a raffle and a meal of fried fish, Suzy Qs and side dishes.

Meals are $8 for adults (13 and over) and $5 each for kids 12 and under.

Raffle tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Winning ticketholders need not be present to win.

Raffle prizes include a Remington 12-gauge shotgun with four chokes, a $100 gift certificate furnished by Fischer’s Meat Market, $100 in trade from Proffer Auto and a squirrel-free bird feeder.

The bird feeder is also cruelty-free and is guaranteed to keep hungry little squirrels out, said Cindy Bartush whose company, The Bird Nest, donated the feeder.

In case of rain, the event will take place at Muenster’s KC hall.

The second Proffer family benefit is scheduled for 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday, June 27 at Fair Hall on the North Texas Fairgrounds in Denton.

The Denton fundraiser is scheduled to include live music, a barbecue dinner, a silent auction and amusements for kids such as an inflated bounce house.

Set to appear are Gary Kyle and The No Standards Band, Walker Hayes, and Matt Pearce and the Tenmile Bridge band.

Admission is $10 for ages 12 and above.

Kids 11 and under are admitted free.

The Denton benefit is being organized by Mandi Proffer’s employer Doctors Goff, Torrie and Day.

For information on the Denton benefit or to find out how to make a donation to the Proffer family call Cheryl Thompson at (940)391-2891 or Amber Bradley at (817)682-2218.

Friends have set up an account for Robert and Mandi Proffer under the name Proffer family at Northstar Bank.

Charitable deposits can be made at any Northstar Bank location.

According to fundraiser organizers, Mandi Proffer found out her children have cystic fibrosis when she was pregnant with her fourth child, son Cale.

Daughters Faith, 10, and Hope, 7, along Cale, 5, are living with the inherited chronic disease which affects both the lungs and the digestive system of about 30,000 children and adults in the United States.

Only the Proffer’s oldest daughter Grace escaped the CF diagnosis.

Cystic fibrous sounds deceptively simple. It is caused by a defective gene which prompts the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus.

But the effects of the thick mucus wreck havoc on the lungs, clogging breathing passages, obstructing the pancreas and stopping natural enzymes from breaking down and absorbing nutrients from food.

In the 1950s, few children with CF lived to attend elementary school, according to the official Web site of the Cystic Fibrous Foundation.

Today, children diagnosed with CF can expect to live into their 30s, 40s and beyond.

Despite all they have had to endure, the Proffer children are vibrant kids, said Era Elementary School administrative assistant Sara Tully.

The children attend Era Elementary and are “just amazing,” Tully said.

The only real difference between Faith, Hope, Cale and the other students is that the Proffer kids are required take medication breaks throughout the school day, she said.

Medications are essential for managing CF.

They are also expensive.

According to a friend of the Proffer’s, a single prescription for one of their children costs $270.

Benefit organizers hope the fundraisers can help erase some of the strain caused by out-of-pocket expenses, routine medications, hospital stays, testing and durable medical supplies.

Tully said Era residents and school children have embraced the Proffer family.

“We think they could really use our help. We all have such a heart for the Proffers. Our hope is to give them a financial boost,” she said.