The community of Rome, New York, turned out in the hundreds for the third annual My Pal Spencer Fundraiser and raised a record $86,522, benefiting Cure Sanfilippo Foundation and supporting medical research to help find a cure and create pathways to more clinical trials for Sanfilippo Syndrome.
Spencer Smith, 5, is the grandson of a Rome, New York, family and has Sanfilippo Syndrome, Type A.
The annual fundraiser was an incredibly inspiring evening with touching speeches, an entertaining live auction, and hundreds of Sanfilippo children represented by displays at each table.
“The tremendous kindness, love, and generosity from the Rome community and sponsors, as well as the dedication of the volunteers, make this event such a huge success,” said Glenn O’Neill, President & Founder of Cure Sanfilippo Foundation and father of a child with Sanfilippo, who was present. “All in honor of Spencer and the mission to cure Sanfilippo. Thank you, Linda and team, for all you do!”
Supporters of Spencer, on his maternal (Hinman) and paternal (Smith) sides, have now raised close to $1 MILLION dollars in just two-and-a-half years. Simply amazing.
“On behalf of all the families with Sanfilippo, we have so much appreciation and thanks for just how much they have done to move the research needle forward!” said O’Neill.
The Hinman family, grandparents to Spencer, expressing their thanks to the nearly 300 supporters in attendance at the annual fundraiser.
See additional pictures from the event on the Foundation’s Facebook page.