Blackbird's Hosts ROHHAD Fundraiser

A fundraising event was held at recently to benefit Marisa Carney and her family in their fight against ROHHAD.  

While Blackbird’s extended its happy hour pricing for the event, Stella and Dot donated 50 percent of sales commissions from jewelry sold to ROHHAD Fight.  There were also raffle tickets and free Stella and Dot jewelry giveaways to anyone who booked a party that night.

Jennifer Kittel, Stella and Dot stylist, met the evening’s hostess Adrienne Cirone at her daughter’s school in Bay Shore. Adrienne asked Jennifer if she would be interested in helping with the fundraising event for her neighbor Marisa. Since Blackbird’s is always willing to help out the community, they knew it would be the perfect spot to host the function.

All the money raised goes directly to ROHHAD Fight. The organization helps to educate about the rare syndrome called ROHHAD (Rapid-Onset Obesity with Hypothalamic Dysfunction, Hypoventilation and Autonomic Dysregulation Presenting in Childhood), advance treatment, discover a cure, enhance the quality of life of the ROHHAD children and ease the financial burden of families who have children suffering from ROHHAD.

Marisa was diagnosed with ROHHAD in June 2010 at the age of four.  ROHHAD is a very rare disease with approximately 75 cases documented worldwide. There is no treatment or cure for ROHHAD and the source of this disease has not yet been determined. Symptoms of ROHHAD vary for each child and are usually misdiagnosed. They generally start with rapid onset obesity in the first two to four years of life then lead to impairment of the nervous system and inevitably reduced lung function, leaving most ROHHAD patients unable to breathe without the assistance of a ventilator.

For more information or to make a donation, visit www.rohhadfight.org. Stella and Dot orders can be placed until June 30. Visit www.stelladot.com/Jennkitt and click on hostess Adrienne Cirone.