PALMDALE – A local family is reaching out to the community for support as they try to provide treatment for 7-year-old Anneliese, a Rosamond Elementary second-grader battling Blount’s disease.
Blount’s is a growth disorder of the shin bone that causes one or both lower legs to angle inward, and it can lead to progressive deformity and arthritis if not treated early. This rare disease affects under 200,000 people in the United States.
Anneliese was diagnosed at just 18 months old, and she’s already had multiple surgeries with more to come.
The medical bills have piled up and the family is now reaching out to friends and the local community for “any bit of help,” according to the child’s mother, Angela Urbano.
“Anneliese has undergone a lot of emotional and physical trauma coping through her disease and her ongoing battle. Having our community support this fundraiser will help bring awareness to rare diseases and also help people see that no matter how different someone is or no matter what someone goes through in life there is still hope,” stated Urbano.
The nonprofit group Mellow Moods Mafia has put together the Anneliese vs. Blount’s Disease car wash fundraiser to be held this Saturday.
The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., July 12, at Camacho Auto Sales, located at 1358 East Palmdale Boulevard (15th St East and Palmdale Blvd).
The car wash fundraiser will feature a car and bike show, a bake sale, live DJs, and a special performance by Vice Versa. View a flyer for the event here.
“The Urbano family greatly appreciates our community willing to come together and help Anneliese fight Blount’s disease,” Urbano stated.
Those who cannot make the car wash fundraiser can make a donation to the family via http://www.gofundme.com/8x4x98.
Anneliese’s health journey is chronicled on Facebook and on a personal blog. Visit the Anneliese vs. Blount’s Disease Facebook page here. Visit the blog here.
Rose says
What about the Shriners or Los Angels Children’s Hospital for help? Where have the surgeries been done? Even if the surgeries are taken care of the family has many expenses to take care of while they are not working or having their other children cared for etc.
Hippocratic Oath says
What the heck is wrong with the world!?
Why aren’t there any GOOD doctors out there who will volunteer their time? The experience of helping this child is RARE. For a doctor to be able to say “I helped a child with a rare disease”
I am lost for words!
Doctors need to know why they became what they are and that if it weren’t for hands on experience/training they wouldn’t be!
I’m so sorry for the parents and family of this child, for financial problems and that I cannot help. I am sorry! May the Lord be with you and your family.