FightSMA Chapter: FightSMA Mechanicsville (VA)

Welcome! Since 1998, FightSMA Mechanicsville has worked hard to increase awareness and to raise funds to support the search for a treatment and a cure for the little-known killer, Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). SMA is a deadly, genetic disease that causes a dramatic loss of strength, and in most cases, the ability to swallow and breathe. It kills more babies than any other genetic disease. My son Andrew, pictured, has been fighting SMA since he was born. Continuing to beat the initial prognosis that he wouldn’t live past the age of 8, Andrew recently celebrated his 18^th birthday. Our battle continues in 2011 with a vengeance, a strong determination, and a renewed hope in our fight to defeat Spinal Muscular Atrophy. On behalf of all the children and families who bravely endure this terrible disease, thank you! We look forward to the day when no parent has to count their child’s life in months…sometimes even days.

Upcoming Events:

“Party with a Purpose”

HELPING ANDREW FIGHTSMA

Friday, April 8, 2011 • 7:00-11:30 PM

PLANT ZERO

Zero East 4th Street Richmond, VA 23224

Party-goers will enjoy a spectacular evening filled with
Extraordinary Cuisine from White House Catering
Drinks • Dancing • Silent Auction • Raffle
…and a “party” t-shirt designed by Andrew commemorating the evening

Entertainment provided by DJ Bill “Evryday” Holliday • Upscale Casual Attire is Requested

Please RSVP by March 28, 2011
Click here to RSVP

Each person is asked to raise a suggested $100 to help us continue our fight.
For information on raising donations, click here

Can’t attend the party but would still like to help Andrew FightSMA?
Click Here

Overnight Accommodations
A limited number of rooms has been reserved for $69 each at the Courtyard by Marriott
6400 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23230 (804) 282-1881 (mention FightSMA party when you call)

Have questions or need additional information?
Contact Carice Smith (804) 559-3691 or caricesmith@comcast.net

Many thanks to our generous Corporate Sponsors

Platinum Sponsors

Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors
Kelleher Heating/Oil, Cooling, Plumbing & Electrical • Gaithersburg Air Conditioning & Heating
Cornerstone Therapy Associates • Resource Realty Svcs. (Danis Goins, Kathy Holland & Cindy Strobel)
Advance Lawn Sprinklers & Landscaping, LLC • Richmond Flying Squirrels • SEY Design • White House Catering

Bronze Sponsors
Cindy Shufflebarger, Author & Speaker • Krickovic & Ziegler, LLC • Project Big Heart of Rappahannock Electrical Cooperative
L & M CarpetOne • Jessica Robertson Photographic Artistry

Thanks to DJ, Bill “Everyday” Holliday for donation of time and talents.
Thanks to event photographer, Cary Tatro of CaryOn Photography

SILENT AUCTION ITEMS JUST ADDED!
Grab your friends and/or family and make plans to bid on one of these fantastic vacation destinations!
All items will have an opening minimum bid. Items can be paid for with check, credit card or cash
and must be paid for the night of the event.

Special thanks to our Silent Auction Sponsors
Dave & Sally Craymer • Dick & Pat Davis • Hunter & Tracy Goode • Tommy & Janet Thompson

RAFFLE ITEMS JUST IN!
Raffle tickets can be purchased at the party using cash or check. Must be present to win!
Raffle Tickets can be purchased for: 2 for $10 • 6 for $25 • 13 for $50 20 for $75 • 30 for $100

Click here to see a preview of our exciting raffle items!

Heartfelt thanks to our Raffle Sponsors!
Advance Lawn Sprinkler & Landscaping, LLC • Cool Spring Church – ACTS II Class • Richmond Flying Squirrels
The Goode Family • The Jefferson Hotel • The Lacatell Family • Martha Creighton • Old City Bar & White House Catering • SEY Design

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Past Events

$18 for 18 years

September 11, 2010 Andrew will turn 18!!!
CELEBRATE WITH US!!

When Andrew was diagnosed with SMA at 8 months, the Doctors told us he would be lucky to see his 8th birthday. Here we are today, getting ready to celebrate 18 miraculous years. 18th birthdays are normally a big deal, but to us this is a REALLY big deal, miracle and blessing and one we don’t want to forget!

I have been wanting to celebrate Andrew’s birthday in a special way and after reading a heart-warming story about another little girl living with SMA and how her family will be celebrating her upcoming 36 month birthday, I was inspired! We are so grateful and blessed to be celebrating this milestone of a birthday with Andrew and thanking God for all the family and friends and miracles along the way!

I am one mom fighting for the life of her child and the countless other children and families affected by this disease. I don’t want any other parent to have to count their child’s life in months or face the fear of losing their child. I want a treatment and a cure to be found NOW and I’m asking you to help me!

Would you join me in honoring an amazing young man and a miraculous 18 years with an $18 donation to FightSMA?

Click here to donate online – simple, fast and totally secure.

Many thanks for your support!

Thank you!

Carice Smith (Andrew’s mom : )

Date: March 26, 2010
Time: 7:00 – 11:00 PM
Location: Main Street Station, Richmond, Virginia

The first-ever “Party with a Purpose” was a huge success and a grand time was had by all! We’re excited to tell you, that thanks to your efforts, we raised just under $33,000 for research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA)!

Living with SMA can often leave families feeling alone and far removed from the real world and the normalcy of life, but standing up there in front of so many of our friends and family, we truly felt the love for us and for Andrew. It’s that love and sense of community that gives us the energy to keep fighting…and we will…until no other parent has to count their child’s life in months…sometimes days. Together we will make a difference and we will find a cure for Spinal Muscular Atrophy!

On behalf of our family and all the families tirelessly working to raise funds and create awareness for SMA…thank you! Whether you attended the party or made a donation, your continued support and dedication to our family and our efforts warms our hearts and gives us the strength to keep fighting year after year.

With love & gratitude,
Wayne, Carice & Andrew

Click here for more event details

Click here to check out pictures from the event!!!

Celebrating 10 years!
Date: March 7, 2009
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: New Highland Baptist Church
Address: 9200 New Ashcake Road, Mechanicsville, VA

For all the details of the event, click here.

Photos from the Evening

9th Annual Strike Out SMA Bowl-A-Thon
We’re helping Andrew fight SMA…one strike at a time!

Date: Saturday, April 5, 2008
Time: Bowling and Fun begin at Noon
Location: AMF Hanover Lanes
Thank you to everyone who came out and who supported the 9th Strike Out SMA Bowl-A-Thon!

To learn more about the 2008 Bowl-A-Thon,
click here.

 

8th Annual Strike Out SMA Bowl-A-Thon

Saturday, March 4, 2006
11:30AM – 2:00PM
AMF Hanover Lanes
Another successful Strike Out SMA Bowl-A-Thon as supporters came out to the AMF Hanover Lanes for extreme bowling, music & dancing hosted by local DJ Bill “Ev’ryday” Holliday, games, clowns, prizes, and more.

Thanks to everyone who helped Andrew Creighton and the countless other children living with SMA raise critical funds for research and created much needed awareness for the little known killer, Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Press:

The Mechanicsville Local: Local family to meet with Congressional Representatives (April 24, 2007)

The Mechanicsville Local: Family still fighting to find a cure (March 15, 2006)

Richmond Times Dispatch: Mother, son team up to fight SMA (February 12, 2006)

The Smith Family

Meet Carice Smith and her son Andrew in this 2004 interview. Click here to view Window Media Video file. If you don’t have the player, click here to download latest version.	Carice and Andrew
Andrew and Family (2005)	Andrew and Friends (2005)