04/21/11 The Morning Outlook
Welcome to our visiting Rotarians and Guests: Rob Gagnon welcomed the following visiting Portsmouth Lunch Club Rotarians: Mike Asselin, Steve Wood, and Barry McArdle. Other visiting Rotarians included: Neil Collins from the Melrose, Ma club. We had two guests this morning; John Burcke guest of Danny Edgecomb and Alyssa Ervin guest of Matt Junkins.
What we were happy about: Some of the Fines and Happy Dollars collected today by Tom Grella were as follows: Tom collected several fines from members who have missed some meetings. Also there were many of us just happy to see the sun out!. Danny Edgecomb was happy he has convinced John Burcke to join our club! Annie Malechek is looking forward to an Easter Egg hunt on Sunday which not only includes candy – but scratch tickets!. Rick Masson was happy to announce the Portsmouth High School Percussion Band won the World Championship. Steve Scott happy about his son, TJ, who after a lot strike outs got a home run last week. Way to go TJ!. however, Steve was not so happy about receiving a call from Rick to help unload the Portsmouth High School Band Equipment.
Announcements: Chris McMahon had several announcements this morning:
- Hampton Rotary Club will be holding a fund raising event “Golf Ball Drop”. Individuals purchase golf balls which are dropped by helicopter at the Sagamore/Hampton Driving Range. Prizes are won for various placements. Event being held June 1st and for more information wwwgolfballdrop@renvuebanking.com
- Jen Bisson, from New Generation, is thinking about joining our Rotary Club. New Generation raises money to provide shelter for homeless pregnant women through the operation of several Thrift Stores in the Seacoast. New Generation will be moving their Rochester Store and needs help with the move. Chris determined the Club was interested in helping.
- Turkey Trot update: The new brochure for the Turkey Trot has been finalized and a copy distributed. This year’s beneficiaries are The Chase Home and New Generation (each will receive 15% of the proceeds raised). Pre-registration will be held at Little Harbor School this year.
Speaker: Jen Carter from Action for Aidan was our Speaker this morning. Jen’s first born child, Aidan, was born with Hunter Syndrome, although it was not discovered until his 15 month check-up. Hunter syndrome is one of the seven Mucopolysaccharidoses, MPS, disorders. It occurs in one out of 170,000 live male births. Children with Hunter syndrome lack a key enzyme, without which the body can’t break down waste products. These waste products accumulate and affect every organ in the body.
Children with Hunter syndrome usually have a large head, hernias, recurrent ear infections, hearing loss, stiff joints and breathing problems. Depending on the severity, life spans do not typically go beyond 20 years.
Currently there is no cure for Hunter syndrome, however, can be treated with Elaprase. Aidan receives weekly treatments “medicine days” at Boston Children’s Hospital. The treatment takes three hours; however, Aidan is treated with movies and Cheetos!!.
Jen Carter said she has turned her grief into action to help find a cure through a fund raising event “Action for Aidan”. Action for Aidan will hold a 5K on June 19th in Exeter. For more information see www.actionforaidan.org .
50/50 Raffle Winner: Tina Gagne
Don’t miss our upcoming events:
4/27 New Member Orientation Meeting at the Gas Light
4/30 Pierce Island Clean up (working with Lunch Club) Rotarian @ work day.
5/12 - 5/14 District Conference
5/12 Club Meeting to be held at Seacoast Science Center
5/17 Visioning Meeting
6/16 Annual Dinner at the Wentworth