For Lucas

A fundraiser this weekend will raise money for a Woodstock family as well as epilepsy awareness.

I wrote about Lucas Iversen here several months ago shortly after the family had learned of his epilepsy diagnosis.

At the time, Lucas was suffering from seizures up to 30 times a day. Thanks to various treatments and especially the Ketogenic Diet he has been on, his seizures have decreased tremendously, said his mother, Dawn. Dawn and her husband Eric also have three other boys, ages 4, 17 and 20.

The strict diet is basically high in fat and low in carbohydrates that must be carefully monitored.

"That alone has been something I can't even explain to you," Dawn said. "The diet is so time consuming and expensive, but I feel it is so worth it. You can't put a dollar amount on this."

Lucas has had numerous hospital stays, including 10 days at the Cleveland Clinic, which has an Epilepsy Center. Because of this, the family has accumulated numerous hospital bills.

To help offset those bills, Lucas' aunt Stacy Pahl organized a fundraiser taking place from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday at D'Andrea Banquets and Conference Center, 4419 Northwest Hwy., Crystal Lake. The event is open to the public with admission being a can of food for a local food pantry.

It will include a silent auction, a raffle of 50 to 60 items, live entertainment and a children's room with a clown, Santa Claus, games and other activities.

Roughly 20 auction items include getaways to places such as the Cayman Islands, dinner party packages, a hot air balloon ride, a Chicago Bears jersey signed by Brian Urlacher, a baseball signed by Phil Niekro of the Hall of Fame, spa packages and much more.

"We can't make Lucas' meals for him because they're so exact," Pahl said. "This is a way we could hopefully eliminate some of the burden of the finances so they could spend more quality time with the family."

Dawn said she has been overwhelmed by the support, and feels blessed that Lucas' health has improved.

Past seizures have caused Lucas to suddenly fall face-first onto the floor or concrete or even off a swingset.