Luke Neuhedel Foundation Announces Annual Fundraiser LUKEFEST 2005 for Children with Cancer in the US



The Luke Neuhedel Foundation holds its annual fundraiser LUKEFEST 2005: "Believe in Miracles" on Saturday July 16, 2005 at Maria Regina School in Seaford, NY from 12noon to 4pm. LNF volunteers hope to raise $20,000, which will be directly granted to children fighting cancer in the US and their families to help with expenses related to treatment of their life-threatening disease. Funds will be raised through donations at the door and raffles.

LUKEFEST 2005 is the Sixth Annual Event for LNF. This year's sponsor is Applebee's Restaurant, which will provide food. This year's entertainment includes: Quackerjack of the Long Island Ducks Championship baseball team, Sparky from the New York Islanders hockey club, Sandy from the Brooklyn Cyclones baseball team, Skateosaurus from United Skates of America, Massapequa magician John Lepre, Long Island caricaturist Deborah Gary, the well-known Nick the Balloonatic, Long Island's favorite clowns Paddy & Paddycake, performances by the Jacto Dancers of Massapequa and the Maria Regina Band, and more. LUKEFEST is a family-fun event with rides, games, arts and crafts, food, cotton candy, sno-cones. Suggested donation for adults is $15, and $5 for kids. Funds will also be raised with 25 raffle baskets filled with great prizes, including celebrity-autographed items, a Grand Prize, and more. A list of prizes offered can be found at www.lukefund.org.

The Luke Neuhedel Foundation was founded in 2002 in memory of Luke Neuhedel, who died at age 3 from hepatoblastoma. LNF's mission is to improve the quality of life for children with cancer through education, research, and aid to families. Aid provided by LNF helps families meet their everyday expenses, pay for medical treatment, including experimental treatment, and for the extras kids fighting cancer deserve to create happy memories with their families. ALL LNF work is accomplished by volunteers; LNF pays no salaries or benefits, to make sure that all funds raised go to the children who need it.

LUKEFEST began in 2000 to celebrate Luke's life and the miracle that he was still living with his cancer after a year. Luke stunned families and friends by being alive for LUKEFEST 2001. In 2002 LUKEFEST became the annual fundraiser for LNF. Community support for Lukefest grows each year; in 2005 LUKEFEST is supported by over 100 businesses in New York. LNF President, Rebecca Neuhedel (and Luke's mom), looks forward to the day LUKEFEST is an annual family event in more states than New York. "LUKEFEST makes a difference to the families that attend, to the children with cancer who come and enjoy a day of fun outside a hospital setting, and especially to the volunteers, who see firsthand the impact they have, and who usually have the most fun," Dr. Neuhedel says.

LUKEFEST involvement is not restricted to those who live near the event on Long Island. ANYONE can be included in the raffles. Raffle prizes are listed at www.lukefund.org and instructions on mailing in for raffles using a check or calling 516-882-9183 and participating using a credit card are posted on the website. And, of course, LNF accepts donations in any amount at any time. Unfortunately the number of children diagnosed with cancer is increasing -- more children in the US are diagnosed with cancer than diabetes, AIDS, cystic fibrosis and congenital anomalies COMBINED.

The Luke Neuhedel Foundation also provides other programs for involvement, especially for schools, scout groups, churches, and other interested groups. To learn more see LNF at www.lukefund.org call 516-882-9183, or contact LNF at PO Box 137, Massapequa Park NY 11762.





Luke Neuhedel Foundation Announces Annual Fundraiser LUKEFEST 2005 for Children with Cancer in the US