A HANDFUL OF KEYS

Special Gala Benefit Performance Monday 18 March 8.15pm Paddington RSL.

A gala celebrity theatre performance to aid the Von Memerty Kids Help Fund

Ian von Memerty's two oldest children Valeska and Oscar, were both born with MPS 6 (muco polysacharodisis 6) or Maroteaux Lamy Syndrome. A genetic metabolic illness, which causes all the soft tissues to swell causing massive deformity, dwarfism, increasing paralysis, loss of motor functions, gradual blindness and deafness and proves fatal by their late teens. After a massive fund-raising effort in 1997, he and his family raised 1.25 million rand, and both children underwent unrelated bone marrow transplants in Manchester in 1997. Valeska accepted her transplant but died in August 1998, from transplant complications. Oscar rejected his transplant.

Because of the huge risks involved with a 2nd unrelated bone marrow transplant the von Memertys had decided to just let the disease take its course, and simply love and support him.

But they then found out that there have been two new developments since the first two transplants in 1997. The first, is a 'lyte' BMT. This new system called 'non-ablative' transplants works very well on metabolic patients. The second development is that donor matching has progressed hugely since 1997. The HLA typing which is used to find a donor (to give you some idea Oscar had one possible match on an international registry of over 3 million) now undergoes DNA testing on the most important part of the marrow.

This means that the rejection process and side effects are a lot less violent and difficult. As this condition is 'progressive', if anything can be done, it has to be done before Oscar is 8. They have raised about R1,100,000 so far.

The Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital Transplant team (in London) are willing to do a 'lyte' transplant on Oscar, and have located at least one well-matched donor. However, there is down-side - they require an up-front payment of 120, 000 pounds. This means we have a shortfall of about 50,000 pounds. So …… Ian has arranged a benefit performances of 'A Handful of Keys' at the Mayfair Theatre in London from March 31, 2002.

In Sydney, the corresponding benefit show is the special, all-celebrity March 18 closing night performance at Paddington RSL - including supper - for $50.

We are hoping the Sydney theatre and music community will turn out to support this desperate and worthy cause. Come along, schmooze with the cast after the show and help the cause!

You can book through MCA ticketing on (02) 9645 1611 on on-line at www.mca-tix.com

Donations can also be made directly to:

Von Memerty Kids Help Fund
WO Fund Raising Number Ref 01 101583 0003
Box 2171. Pinegowrie, 2123
SOUTH AFRICA

For

For Further Information e-mail
vonmem@mweb.co.za