Hamilton, ON (Thursday June 5, 2008) - CFL Hall of Fame Defensive Back and three time Grey Cup winner Less Browne and television personality Glenn Allan are lending their support to the Friends of Fern Fundraiser happening at Michelangelo's Banquet Centre on Thursday July 3, 2008.
Less Browne began his stellar Canadian football career by signing with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1984. His career saw him also play for Winnipeg, Ottawa and B.C. Lions.
During his career Less was a 6-time CFL All-Star and in October 2008 will be inducted onto the Hamilton Tiger-Cat's Wall of Fame along with Don Sutherin. (www.lessbrowne.com)
Glenn Allan has been in broadcasting for over 20 years and today hosts three television programs that have or are airing on CanWest Global Television, The E! Network, MenTV, CTS TV and The Miracle Channel. One of the programs is also in syndication worldwide with another of his shows set to follow. (www.glennallan.ca or www.livingclean.ca)
Less and Glenn have known Fern since the 1980's and together hope that they can help raise awareness for her, while at the same time assist Laurie Lilliman and the Friends of Fern committee. Less will be speaking at the July 3rd fundraiser, while Glenn will act as master of ceremonies.
For more information contact:
Organizers:
Laurie Lilliman and Dan Megna
905-772-6638
laurielill333@yahoo.ca
Please Visit: www.friendsoffern.com
For nearly a decade Fern Johnson has bravely faced her battle with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis (PPMS). It is characterized by a gradual progression of the disease from its onset with no relapses or remissions.
It was recently learned that Fern is an excellent candidate to receive Stem Cell Biotherapy treatment. Unfortunately, this treatment is not yet available in Canada, therefore Fern will be required to travel to the Cayman Islands or Mexico for her much needed Stem Cell infusion. The cost for Stem Cell Biotherapy is considerable, and will cost the Johnson Family approx. $30,000.00 (USD). Plans are currently being made to arrange an early summer appointment.
While Stem Cell Bio Therapy may not be an absolute cure for Fern's PPMS; it is strongly believed that it will drastically improve the quality of her life. To learn more about this treatment please go online to www.stemcellbiotherapy.com or www.mssociety.ca/ontario
Only with you and your support can there be a miracle in Fern's life. She needs us more than ever. Please respond now.
Tickets may be purchased by contacting; East Hamilton - Aceti's Pizzeria, contact Dyane Hopkins-Baker, 1491 Main Street E, 905-545-0484; Stoney Creek - The Penalty Box, contact Dawn Lilliman, Sun through Thurs 6pm - 1 am, 37 King Street E, 905-662-1812; Stoney Creek - Chuggys Tap & Grill, contact Rob Kellett, 390 Barton St E, 905-662-5348; Hamilton Mountain/Brantford - Laurie Lilliman & Dan Megna, Cayuga, 905-772-6638; East of Stoney Creek/Grimsby - Julie & Leo Ciardelli, Grimsby, 905-945-8156; Burlington - Paul Baker, Burlington, 905-315-9486
The committee is also welcoming donations at any TD Canada Trust -Branch #3696, Account #6227332, or go online to www.friendsoffern.com to make a convenient credit card donation. The committee would also graciously welcome any prize or auction donations.
To enable them to reach their goal, the 'Friends of Fern' committee has planned a fun and exciting evening which will include an 8:00 pm scheduled Live Auction with esteemed auctioneer Tim Warden, a silent auction, door prizes and raffles. Michelangelo's will be serving an awesome full service, four course sit down dinner at 7:00pm, accompanied by the soulful sounds of keyboard vocalist Angela Renaye. After 10:00pm the festivities continue into a lively evening that Fern would be sure to approve of. During the 1980's and early 90's Fern was a popular, lovable, and entertaining bartender at such famous Hamilton watering holes as Garfield's, Moviola, The Stardust and Tailgate Charlie's. In keeping with that theme, a late night buffet will be served up with entertainment including live music by the Matthew MacGregor band, and the upbeat sounds of DJ Steve-O.
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Catch FERN'S ONE HOUR SPECIAL LIVE
on the BILL KELLY SHOW
on CHML900 AM, and Cable 14 television:
Friday June 27, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fern's Mother, Pat Johnson will be here from Buffalo, along with great friend and supporter, CFL Hall of Fame Inductee, Less Browne, and long time friend Laurie Lilliman to speak on behalf of Fern and her upcoming Fund Raiser .
Be sure to tune in.... and don't forget to purchase your ticket and come out for a GREAT NIGHT!"
THE BRANTFORD EXPOSITOR
Campaign for stem-cell treatment gives Fern hope
City man helps raise funds for daughter suffering from progressive MS
Posted By BY HEATHER IBBOTSON, EXPOSITOR STAFF
Frank Johnson thinks of his daughter Fern as the vibrant, athletic and beautiful young woman who once tore up the track at North Park Collegiate. Her sparkling personality brightened the world around her.
Now 47, Fern is but a shell of her former self.
For nearly a decade, she has been trapped in a body ravaged by primary progressive multiple sclerosis. She can no longer walk, move her arms or even talk.
"She hasn't talked in years," Frank said in an interview at his Brantford home. "She just moves her eyes."
Some time ago, her American mother arranged for Fern's to live in an assisted care facility in Buffalo, N. Y. Fern can't sit without help or swallow solid food.
Fern's family and friends on both sides of the border are working to arrange for costly stem-cell treatment in Mexico or the Cayman Islands.
The treatment may hold the promise of restoring or regenerating some of Fern's damaged nerves.
An intense campaign is afoot to raise between $28,000 and $35,000 to cover the cost of the treatment. Stem-cell treatment, involving blood or spinal infusions of cells, is not approved in Canada or the U. S. and so is not available here.
Longtime friend Laurie Lilliman, of Cayuga, is spearheading much of the Ontario fund-raising effort.
"This has brought hope back into Fern's eyes," Lilliman said. "She knows what we're doing and she hasn't given up. There's a twinkle back in her eye."
Fern was born and raised in Brantford. She graduated from North Park Collegiate where, in 1979, she set a school track record by finishing the 100-metres in 12.9 seconds. She later worked as a bartender and waitress in the Hamilton and Stoney Creek areas.
Photos of Fern taken during those years, before she was stricken with PPMS, show a striking and confident young woman. They are in sharp contrast to current images of a frail and helpless woman wrapped in blankets.
"Her arms are like a dead weight," her father said. "She's so fragile. It's so sad."
Frank said he tries to make Fern laugh when he visits. He can sense, by the widening of her eyes, that his exuberant "Fernie" is still there inside her crippled body.
Fern's life began to fall apart in 1998.
"I was with her when she first dropped a tray at work," Lilliman said.
Things rapidly worsened. Fern began bumping into tables and walking into walls, stumbling and falling.
"It happened so fast. It was surreal," Lilliman said.
Soon walking was not possible. Fern developed tremors and could not hold a knife and fork.
Her condition deteriorated with shocking speed. Extensive tests resulted in the grim diagnosis of PPMS, an aggressive and devastating form of multiple sclerosis.
Fern was in and out of hospitals and institutions in Hamilton, Niagara Falls and Fort Erie before her mother obtained dual citizenship for Fern and took her stateside.
Frank said he is both ecstatic and touched by those involved in raising funds for his daughter's treatment.
"They are wonderful," he said.
A Friends of Fern Fundraiser will be held at Michelangelo's in Hamilton on July 3, from 6 p. m. to 1 a. m.
The gala event will include a sit-down dinner, live auction, late night buffet, silent auction, door prizes, raffles and live entertainment. Tickets cost $75.
More information about Fern, the gala, tickets or making donations is available at www.friendsoffern.com.
Donations may be made online or through deposit to Fern's intrust TD Canada Trust bank account 6227332, branch 3696. Donations can be made at any TD Canada Trust branch.
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