St. Jude Children's Hospital continues to make breakthroughs in the treatment of disease, particularly in often deadly brain cancers. Benny Klepach, international businessman and son of a brain cancer victim, endorses St. Jude's and their work wholeheartedly.
New York, New York (PRBuzz.com) August 24, 2012 -- St. Jude Children's Hospital, located in Memphis, Tennessee, has worked toward definitive treatments for catastrophic childhood disease since 1962. The organization's mission is to "advance cures, and means of prevention, for pediatric catastrophic diseases through research and treatment. Consistent with the vision of our founder Danny Thomas, no child is denied treatment based on race, religion or a family's ability to pay." According to an article in The Huffington Post, a child by the name of Morgan Rathke has thrived despite her fight with medulloblastoma thanks largely to the advanced treatment programs offered by St. Jude's. Benny Klepach, whose father lost his life to the same illness, is among the many supporters of St. Jude's.
A gymnast since age three, Rathke was diagnosed with the disease in 2005 at 13. This was a crushing blow to a girl with many national titles and dreams of Olympic gold. The disease itself can be devastating and oftentimes fatal due to the fact that ongoing treatment is needed. Author Marlo Thomas reports that Rathke's tumor was removed by a neurosurgeon who visiting her city by coincidence, but that treatment had to continue if she was to survive.
With the medulloblastoma condition, small numbers of cancerous cells remain in the host's body even after surgery, and must be destroyed for long-term survival prospects. While recovering in the hospital from the surgery, Rathke's family saw a commercial for St. Jude's. Worried about the ongoing costs associated with her daughter's treatment, Pam Rathke, Morgan's mother, stated, "I just knew that was where we were supposed to be." The fact that St. Jude's accepts any child, regardless of their ability to pay, is the characteristic that attracted Benny Klepach to the charity.
A course of radiation followed by heavy-dose chemotherapy ensued, and Rathke is now 19 years old and thriving. She does not intend to return to competitive gymnastics, but trains other children and has been encouraged by her stay at the hospital. In Rathke's own words, "The nurses and doctors at St. Jude's really inspired me during my stay there. They taught me a whole new kind of winning." Benny Klepach, a contributor to St. Jude Children's Hospital, noted, "Morgan's uphill battle to conquer this deadly disease, a disease which killed my father, is truly inspirational."
Benny Klepach urges anyone with the means to contribute to St. Jude's. "Without contributions from charitable individuals," Klepach asserts, "treatment for diseases such as this one would likely not exist. Breakthroughs in treatment options together with Morgan's perseverance have saved her life. An Olympic medal would only pale in comparison to this courageous feat."
ABOUT:
Benny Klepach is the CEO of an international duty free and in-flight shopping company called Duty Free Air & Ship Supply. With 600 employees over five continents and 74 fulfillment centers around the globe, this company's reach is massive. DFASS has developed training programs to help airlines efficiently prepare in-flight personnel to sell products ranging from cosmetics to apparel. Benny founded the company in 1987 and built it into the largest company of its kind.
Michael McGarety
PR Authority
800-475-2390
media@prauthority.com
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