Jack of Hearts evening
Date and time
Refund policy
Contact the organiser to request a refund.
Eventbrite's fee is nonrefundable.
You are invited to help raise money for Jack Peel. Come along to our Jack of Hearts evening to help deal him a better hand in life.
About this event
Jack of Hearts evening
WHEN: This event has been postponed. New date coming soon!
WHERE: Chateau Apollo, 74 Frome st, Adelaide (cnr Grenfell st)
DRESS: Cocktail
Ready to let your hair down and kick up your heels for a night of drinks, canapes, entertainment, silent auctions, raffles and more?
Then, look no further. This is your night!
Jack (Jacko for ‘short’) is not your typical Aussie kid.
Of course, like many 8-yr old boys he loves running, jumping, climbing trees and playing soccer and footy but there is one big difference.
Jack has Cerebral Palsy.
Cerebral palsy is a physical disability caused by a brain injury during pregnancy, birth, or shortly after birth. It affects movement, coordination, muscle tone and control, reflexes, posture, and balance. In Australia, 1 in 700 children are affected by Cerebral Palsy (CP) and it is the most common childhood disability worldwide. It is a lifelong disability that cannot be cured.
Jack’s cerebral palsy means he is in pain daily and he struggles to do any of the activities he loves without the aid of a support person or equipment. Walking and running are hard work, carrying a school bag isn’t possible without holding someone’s hand for balance (which feels embarrassing for an 8-yr old), keeping up with school activities in the classroom, even writing his name are all things that require a super-hero effort and result in a huge amount of fatigue. Communicating is frustrating and forming friendships is tricky.
All of these challenges get harder and harder each year and are slowly chipping away at Jack’s confidence.
This year, though, is Jack’s year.
In September, Jack and his family will be heading to St Louis, Missouri, USA where he will undergo one of the most advanced surgeries in the world: Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR). SDR will significantly reduce the pain he suffers and allow him to walk, run, play soccer, keep up in class and make friends more easily. Ultimately, building his confidence and the ability to choose what he wants to do in life.
SDR surgery involves making a small incision in the middle of Jack’s back and exposing the nerve fibres which sit close to the spinal cord. The nerve fibres send messages to and from our muscles telling them to move our toes, feet, ankles, legs etc. so that we can walk, run and jump etc.
Each of the nerve fibres are then tested for spasticity (which is what stops Jack from walking and running etc. easily). The fibres with high levels of spasticity are permanently cut, allowing any healthy nerve fibres, to take over and grow strong.
Cost
This incredible surgery and Jack’s time in the US with his family plus all pre and post surgery costs will cost more than $180K.
The rewards though, are great because SDR will allow Jack to do the ordinary things that many of us take for granted – being able to push a trolley around the supermarket, climbing the stairs at the footy oval easily, having a great group of mates, getting a good job and having a family.
After all, who wouldn’t want that for their kid?
Follow Jack's journey from newborn through to 8-years old, as he prepares for surgery this year:
