Terry Fator Performs To Help Find a Cure For Kids with “Childhood Alzheimer’s”

America’s Got Talent winner and ventriloquist Terry Fator (the $100 Million dollar voice performing at the Las Vegas Mirage!) performed at our Reno fundraiser to help cure “Childhood Alzheimer’s.” Watch a hysterical video clip of Terry Fator singing a Sonny and Cher duet, “I’ve Got You Babe,” with Reno Mayor Bob Cashell.  May 2008.

Former American Idol Melinda Doolittle Sings “Be Blessed” To Help Kids With Deadly Dementia

On May 10, 2008, we hosted our 1^st annual benefit to cure Niemann Pick Type C. Over 1000 people attended the "The Moonlight Garden Gala" gala event held at the downtown Reno Ballroom. Supporters were treated to outstanding performances by former American Idol singer, Melinda Doolittle, and America’s Got Talent gifted ventriloquist, Terry Fator. Listen to Melinda Doolittle performing the song “Be Blessed” for NPC afflicted children – it was a very emotional moment for all!

Reno Helps Fight “Childhood Alzheimer’s”

Biggest Little Community In The World Supports Finding Cure

Reno, Nevada, may be known as the “Biggest Little City in the World,” but the City also has the title of the “Biggest Little Community in the World.”  Since our identical twin 4 year old twins, Addi and Cassi, received a devastating medical diagnosis of Niemann Pick Type C — otherwise known as “Childhood Alzheimer’s (featured on ABC’s Good Morning America) — we have received an outpouring of support from the Reno community to help us fight this fatal disease that robs children of their ability to walk, talk and eat. On May 10th, 2008, the Reno community came together for the “Moonlight Garden Gala – A Night Of Hope and Miracles” at the Downtown Reno Ballroom to help raise money for research into this devastating and mysterious brain disorder. Millions of American’s are facing Alzheimer’s disease and every 71 seconds someone in America develops the disease.  NPC children like Addi and Cassi may hold important clues to helping researchers understand brain disorders of all types.  No person, whether young or old, should face death of the mind before death of the body and treatments and cures need to be developed. Here are some of the amazing events that have taken place in recent weeks in Reno to help raise money and awareness of brain disorders and "Childhood Alzheimers."

• Claim Jumper Fundraiser: On April 24th, Claim Jumper hosted an evening to raise money for the Addi and Cassi Fund with 10% of all proceeds earned that evening going to the fund. Thanks to Cara Hamm for organizing the event — we raised $2,358.33!
• Sierra Strength and Speed: Joe Dibble, one of Nevada’s leading dietitians and nutritionists, donated 100% of the proceeds from “Wednesday’s Workout Evening” at the WB Baseball Softball Training Center.  Everyone worked up a sweat, including Addi and Cassi, and Joe and his volunteers helped raise $1,345.00!
• On Thursday, May 8, 2008, Bishop Manogue Catholic High School held a "Miracle Minute" to raise funds to aid in the research necessary to find a cure for Niemann Pick Type C.
• CureCaps party – Jennifer Dolder and her two children organized a CureCaps hat making party at their house – over 50 caps were made to help raise money for research

Thank you Reno for your support! Posted by Chris (Mom)

Good Morning America Features Addi and Cassi’s Fight Against Fatal Brain Disease

On May 1st, 2008, Addi and Cassi’s fight against Niemann Pick Type C was featured on ABC News Good Morning America. Please spend a few minutes to read the entire story and watch the 4 minute segment.  We are very grateful to Good Morning America for taking the time to create this thoughtful and caring story about our fight against Niemann Pick Type C, the “Childhood Alzheimer’s.”

Dementia In 4 Year Olds. Think about it.

Saving Our Brains

We’re 4 year old identical twins, Addi and Cassi Hempel.  We recently went on a trip to Detroit to Children’s Hospital Michigan with our Mom, Aunt and Grandma to have PET scans done on our brains. We are suffering from a rare and progressive neurological disease called Niemann Pick Type C. If we don’t do something about it, we’re going to lose our minds.

Our PET scans revealed that just like some Alzheimer’s patients, we have a glucose metabolism problem in the frontal lobes of our brains. This causes dementia. One of us (Cassi) has an inflammation spot in the middle of our brain, in the parietal lobe and basal ganglia area. This is an area of the brain where Parkinson’s patients are often impacted.

We ask that you take a moment to learn more about us and our fight against NPC. We have posted our brain videos, report and scans for the world to see.  We hope that through a view into our brains, we can bring answers and treatments not only for ourselves but for others who suffer from neurological conditions of all types.

Watch our Brain Video
Read our Brain Report

Look At Our PET Scans
Glucose FDG Addi
Glucose FDG Cassi
PK Addi
PK Cassi

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