http://www.GabrielleLaVerde.com
Race car driver and Bench Press World Record holder Davey Gibbs is committed to raising funds to save the life of seven year old Gabrielle Laverde. Gabrielle suffers with a rare fatal disease called Niemann-Pick Type C (Early Childhood Alzheimer's). Life expectancy after diagnosis is 6-10 years.
I have a protective personality. When I met Gabi, my heart went out to her. I wanted to help her. If I were a doctor, I would fix her. I prayed for God to tell me how to help. I push weights. That's how I will help Gabi. Davey Gibbs
Power Lift for Gabi & Savin' Gabi Race
Saturday, October 11th / 7pm
New Smyrna Speedway
Power Lift for Gabi: Davey Gibbs will attempt an AMAZING FEAT of bench pressing 1000lbs for Gabi. Sponsors pledge to donate $3-$10 per pound to Gabi's medical treatments for every pound Davey lifts. Community organizations and businesses are encouraged to sponsor Davey's lift for Gabi; 50 cents, a dollar or whatever you can afford per pound helps and is greatly appreciated.
Savin' Gabi Race: The Savin' Gabi Race in which the winning purse goes to Gabi will follow immediately after Davey's Bench Press Exhibition.
Special Feature: Deltona Arts Recording Studios will debut their song Savin' Gabi performed LIVE by 40 members of the Central Florida music community. Savin' Gabi was written by Lloyd Marcus. Produced by Frank Starchak & Adrian Sutton. Lead vocals by Lloyd Marcus.
CONTACTS:
LaVerde family spokesperson: Gisele Veilleux 386-532-5237
Lloyd Marcus: 954-934-9588
Deltona Arts Recording Studios: 386-575-2601
To Sponsor Davey's Lift for Gabi: Lloyd Marcus 954-934-9588 / mr_lloydmarcus@hotmail.com
More: A world record was set in April 2008 by Ukrainian-American power lifter Ryan Kennelly when he bench-pressed 1,070 pounds. And, while race car driver Davey Gibbs isn't attempting any world record setting, he is going to try bench-pressing 1,000 pounds in an amazing feat of generosity and loving concern.
All of Volusia County is invited to watch Gibbs in his commitment to save the life of 7-year-old Gabrielle LaVerde. The youngster from Deltona has a rare condition called Niemann-Pick Type C.
Nicknamed Childhood Alzheimer's, only 300 children in the U.S. - 500 worldwide - suffer from this genetic disorder that causes an otherwise healthy, happy tot to suddenly forget things like how to walk, how to talk, how to play and, eventually, how to breathe.
Gabi was diagnosed in October 2007 and, although the diagnosis is heart-wrenching, an experimental treatment may help give her a longer, more quality life. When word got out about the treatment, the ripple effect on the community has been awe-inspiring.
Her classmates at Deltona Lakes Elementary School raised more than $10,800 for Gabi. They picked up change on their way to school, they emptied their piggy banks all in hopes of Gabi's family being able to afford the $28,000 treatment and the $9,000 monthly medication that goes along with it.
Then the school staff picked up the torch and held fundraising garage sales and a spaghetti dinner.
One of Gabi's classmates prompted his mom to get more involved. Gisele Veilleux, who is deeply committed to animal rescue, was driving her son home from school when he asked; Isn't saving Gabi more important?
Veilleux said her heart was moved. She started making phone calls and stumbled across Lloyd Marcus, president of the Deltona Arts and Historical Center. It didn't take long before Marcus continued rolling the ball and held a benefit concert.
Race car driver Davey Gibbs heard about the commotion in Deltona and attended the concert. He too was moved by Gabi. I have a protective personality. When I met Gabi, my heart went out to her. I wanted to help her. If I were a doctor, I would fix her. I prayed for God to tell me how to help. I push weights. That's how I will help Gabi, he said.
On Saturday, Oct. 11, at 7 p.m., Gibbs will attempt to lift 1,000 pounds in front of raceway fans at the New Smyrna Speedway. Several sponsors have agreed to donate $3-$10 per pound that he successfully lifts to the LaVerde family.
There will also be live music and a race, and the winning purse will go to Gabi.
To find out how you can be a sponsor or for donation information, please contact Lloyd Marcus at 954-934-9588 or e-mail mr.lloydmarcus@hotmail.com.
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