'The Core' holds fund-raiser for ailing Lombard child

by Lawerence W. Synett

A group of six area women who calls themselves "The Core" recently held a fund-raiser for McKenna Reese Tyszkiewicz, a Lombard child who was born nearly two months prematurely on March 15.

The fund-raiser was held on Friday, Sept. 14, at Diplomat West Banquet Halls, located at 681 W. North Ave. in Elmhurst, to help pay for McKenna's around-the-clock care to keep her alive.

The six women who make up the core are more commonly known as Team McKenna, and they include Lia Knudtson, Mary Roelle, Jenny Vogt, Wendy Engelking, Jean Corsini and Cindy Frank.

"Soon after McKenna was born and we found out what her conditions were, Mary [Roelle] and I were on the phone and she said, 'This is a fighter and we are going to throw her a fund-raiser. Will you help me?'" said Knudtson. "It's amazing because I chose to do this because I wanted to help save her life and...she changed mine."

After McKenna's mother Nicole, gave birth to her at a mere 29 weeks, the Lombard infant weighed 2 pounds, 1 ounce and was 13 inches long.

It was discovered after her birth that she was born with facial anomalies, which included missing her left ear, having underdeveloped cheekbones and an underdeveloped jaw.

Genetic testing on McKenna later showed that she was born with a rare chromosome disorder involving the partial deletion of chromosome 21, one of the 23 pairs of chromosomes in humans.

Further testing revealed that McKenna's brain was underdeveloped and that she had lissencephaly, which literally means, "smooth brain," a rare, gene-linked brain malformation characterized by the absence of normal convolutions (folds) in the cerebral cortex and an abnormally small head (microcephaly).

Children with lissencephaly have severe mental retardation and poor control of movements, similar to children with cerebral palsy.

Other common problems include poor feeding, frequent seizures and repeated episodes of pneumonia.

After 69 days in neonatal intensive care, McKenna was brought home by her mother and her father, Mike.

Since returning home, McKenna's mother had to stop working because of the 24-hour care she needs and her father, Mike, is working two jobs.

"We wanted to help them pay for the medical bills that are never-ending," said Knudtson, whose husband Dan went to high school at Willowbrook High School with Mike.

Since returning home, McKenna now weighs over 6 pounds, and is no longer on oxygen support or feeding tubes. She is now over 6 months old.

Although the group of women is still "measuring our success" of the fund-raiser, the six were hopeful that 300 people would attend, and we were "pleasantly surprised" when the event was attended by approximately 419, stated Knudtson.

According to Knudtson, she is lucky to be a part of McKenna's fight.

"McKenna was given to her parents because they are good people, they will fight for her, they believe in her and they will love her forever," said Knudtson. "I along with Team McKenna am so thankful to be in McKenna's life."

A highlight of the fund-raiser, stated Knudtson, was donations from Miracles From Mia and the Lauren Kiefer Foundation.

Miracles From Mia was first established as Miracles For Mia in 2002 to help raise money for Mia Clements.

Mia was born with a condition called Multi-Dysplastic Kidney Disease (MDK) which essentially means two non-functioning kidneys. Mia desperately needed a kidney transplant, and so Miracles For Mia was born.

While she remained strong through many set-backs and hospital stays, she could no longer fight and on April 17, 2004, Mia passed in her sleep.

The Lauren Kiefer Foundation was established after the death of Lauren Kiefer, 24, who was murdered on Dec. 25, 2006.

"Miracles From Mia and the Lauren Kiefer Foundation really helped me see what this is all about," said Knudtson. "They not only donated with money and advice, but they donated their hearts. What I see is two families helping another and two mothers helping another."

Other donations and assistance came from Hair to Stay, located at 24 E. St. Charles Road, a Villa Park hair salon that Knudtson manages.

The business has been a part of her family for over 40 years and is owned by her parents, Linda and Nunzio.

"Hair to Stay was a great example of how small businesses can make a big difference," said Knudtson. "Not only did the employees and the salon donate, but because my parents have had the business for so long the clients became a part of this as well. I was so overwhelmed that they were supporting something that meant so much to me."

Team McKenna is currently accepting donations. Donations can be sent to: fortheloveofmckenna.org, P.O. Box 6987, Villa Park, IL 60181-6987.

For more information about McKenna, visit www.fortheloveofmckenna.org.

For more information about the Lauren Kiefer Foundation visit www.rememberlaur.com.

For more information about Miracles From Mia visit www.miraclesfrommia.org.