It is our pleasure to announce that Dallas Helps has become a devoted supporter of Cameron’s Chance. For the month of December, we are donating $1 for every new “Like” the Dallas Helps Facebook fan page receives. In addition, we will be helping to support a Night at the Races benefit for Cameron’s Chance in January 2014.
Cameron James Houk–born December 27, 2007–came into the world as a seemingly perfect baby boy. Even as an infant, Cameron had a contagious laugh and a smile that could brighten anyone’s darkest day. By all accounts, Cameron James was rolling, giggling, bouncing, dribbling baby boy.
However, at around four months, Cameron’s mother began to notice that he was not developing as quickly as other babies his age. She spoke to Cameron’s pediatrician about the matter and was eventually granted a referral to the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh to see a specialist.
The neurologist at Children’s Hospital confirmed Amy Houk’s worst fears–Cameron was developmentally disabled. Soon, the testing began in an attempt to figure out exactly why Cameron was having these issues. Although he continued to progress, it was apparent that his progression was taking place at a much slower rate than other boys his age. Cameron’s ultimate problem came to fruition just before his first birthday when he had his first seizure.
From there, things only got worse. By 15 months of age, Cameron was having hundreds of seizures every day. Doctors began prescribing anti-seizure medication for Cameron, which has worked to an extent but has led to what his parents would call a loss in his quality of life and were coupled with a number of debilitating side effects. In addition to the medications, Cameron also had a Vagas Nerve Stimulator implanted in his chest as a means to help control his seizures.
In the years since Cameron was first diagnosed with seizures, he has visited some of the country’s most prestigious children’s facilities, such as The Cleveland Clinic, Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and several of the National Institutes of Health. Cameron is currently taking four anti-seizure medications, as well as several supplements which are supposed to reduce his daily seizure count down to somewhere between 50 and 100. Unfortunately, however, these medicines have horrific side effects. When Cameron takes these drugs he becomes dizzy and has headaches and nausea. Cameron has also experienced liver and kidney damage, blurred vision, constipation, confusion, drowsiness, loss of appetite, and difficulty swallowing as a result of these medications.
To date, Cameron James has undergone testing for all types of disorders in which seizures are a symptom. Pediatricians and other physicians suspect that Cameron may have some type of mitochondrial disease; however, he remains undiagnosed.
After considering and trying all known therapeutic options, Cameron’s physicians now support his families’ decision to try alternative medicine which has been approved in parts of the United States, but not in Pennsylvania. The medication in question is only available in Colorado. Cameron’s Chance is a charity set up for Cameron and his family so as to support their efforts in leaving Pennsylvania and moving to Colorado where Cameron can finally undergo treatment that lowers his daily seizure count and ultimately makes him feel better.
There are several donation outlets set up in physical and online locations. Physical, monetary donations can be made to:
The Cameron Houk Caring Fund
First National Bank
3200 Wilmington Road
New Castle, PA 16105
…or…
Dallas W. Hartman, P.C., Attorneys at Law
201 Green Ridge Drive
New Castle, Pa 16105
Online donations to Cameron’s Chance can be received via PayPal at www.cameronschance.blogspot.com
…and you can “Like” and follow Cameron’s Chance on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Camerons-Chance/1417813208450270
In addition, for every new “Like” the Dallas Helps Facebook page receives, Dallas W. Hartman, P.C., Attorneys at Law will donate one dollar to Cameron’s Chance.
In addition to accepting your kind donations, Cameron’s Chance will be hosting a Night at the Races event to raise awareness, benefit, and collect money for Cameron. Tickets can be purchased at the front desk of the Dallas W. Hartman, P.C., Attorneys at Law office from Gina. The office is located at:
201 Green Ridge Drive
New Castle, PA 16105
Admission tickets are $10 and each ticket will include endless food and drink! The Night at the Races will be held at St. John’s Hall in New Castle and the specifics can be found below.
Cameron’s Chance and Dallas Helps presents:
Night at the Races Benefitting Cameron Houk
St. John’s Hall
725 Pearson Street
New Castle, PA 16101
(724) 658-9534
The event will be held the evening of:
Saturday
January 4, 2014
From 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Admission is $10 per person and will include food and drink
We will also be making sponsorship opportunities available:
$20 for a Horse (this level will include one admission)
$10 for a Jockey
$5 for a Trainer
If your horse is a winner, you will receive $25
All other levels are donation opportunities
Contact Gina at Dallas W. Hartman, P.C., Attorneys at Law to request tickets and ask questions by calling (toll free) 800-777-4081 or 724-652-4021.
During the Night at the Races, there will also be a raffle and Chinese Auction. If you would like to donate a basket or items for the Chinese Auction, please drop them off at the Dallas W. Hartman, P.C., Attorneys at Law office at:
201 Green Ridge Drive
New Castle, PA 16105
Come on out and bring your friends! The Night at the Races is a great way to meet people in your community and benefit from an awesome cause. And if you cannot come to the Night at the Races, then donations are humbly accepted. Cameron deserves to live the same enjoyable life as other boys his age. By donating to Cameron’s Chance this holiday season, you can help a little boy live his dream and a hardworking family finally gain some peace of mind.