A FIFTH SEASON FOR BATTEN GALA 2019

Roughly 360 guests collaborated to raise $225,000 to support the Noah's Hope-Hope 4 Bridget Foundation at "A Fifth Season," its ninth annual Batten disease fundraiser, at the Marriott Oak Brook on Nov. 9.

All proceeds from the fundraiser are directed towards advocacy and research to develop therapies to delay symptoms of CLN2 Batten disease, a rare and fatal affliction that has claimed the lives of four children in the Chicago metropolitan area in recent years. Noah and Laine VanHoutan of Downers Grove, Bridget Kennicott of Barrington and Ethan Gahlbeck of Elmhurst have all perished as a result of this disease between the ages of 10 and 12.

There is currently no cure for Batten disease, which is likened to ALS and dementia for children. Children with the disease develop normally as toddlers, but over time, they experience intermittent seizures and loss of muscle control, depriving them of their ability to speak, walk and eat.

Nicole Boice, founder of Global Genes, a leading patient advocacy organization dedicated to raising awareness of Batten disease, served as keynote speaker at A Fifth Season. Boice said the Noah's Hope-Hope 4 Bridget Foundation has made an impact in the Batten and rare disease communities, and served as a leader in guiding research, policy advocacy and family support.

WGN Ch. 9 anchor and reporter Ben Bradley and Mike Schimmel of Downers Grove functioned as emcees of the fundraiser for the eighth consecutive year, leading the live auction and fund-the-need campaign that combined to raise more than $50,000.

For more information about the Noah's Hope-Hope 4 Bridget Foundation, visit www. noahshope.com or www.hope4bridget.com.