Pubdate: Tue, 19 May 2015 Source: Penticton Herald (CN BC) Copyright: 2015 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://www.pentictonherald.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/664 Author: Susan McIver | Page: A3 FUNDRAISER WILL HELP PROVIDE MEDICAL CANNABIS FOR SICK CHILDREN Rockn' for Kids, a fundraiser for sick kids in need of medical cannabis, will be held on Saturday afternoon at Orchard House, 157 Orchard Ave., in Penticton. The event will be a fun afternoon for the whole family. Live music by the Yardkatz, River Line and Forever should have everyone from small children to their grandparents on their feet dancing. A dinner of pulled-pork or veggie burgers, complete with dessert is included in the $25 ticket and participants may come and go during the afternoon. "There will be a silent auction with amazing items - a get-away at the Summerland Waterfront Resort, a $175 gift certificate from the Builders Mart and stunning wine baskets, plus much more," said Elaine Nuessler, the grandmother of three-year-old Kyla Williams who has a severe form of epilepsy. Just over a year ago, physicians told Kyla's parents, Jared and Courtney Williams, that they had exhausted their treatment options. At the time, Kyla was suffering hundreds of seizures a day. In desperation the family turned to cannabis oil, a compound high in cannabidiol (CBD) used to treat conditions such as epilepsy CBD is low in THC which causes the high that is attractive to recreational users of marijuana. Almost immediately, Kyla showed dramatic improvement, which has been corroborated by medical tests. Today, Kyla is interacting with her family, playing simple games and can stand with assistance. She's also discovering a whole new world, thanks to her new glasses. Last month, medical scientists reported at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology meetings that a liquid form of marijuana has promise as a treatment for children with severe epilepsy who are not responding to other treatments. In response to Canada-wide attention to Kyla's story, grandmother Elaine began receiving phone calls from distraught parents asking for information about medical cannabis. People also began giving Kyla's family money to help pay for the cannabis oil, which is typically not covered by any medical or pharmaceutical plan. "We didn't feel right about using the money only for just ourselves when we knew other families needed help," Nuessler said. In May 2014, Kyla's family and friends started Medical Cannabis for Sick Kids. Eight families with children who have various forms of epilepsy now receive financial help from the organization, along with assistance in finding information and emotional support. Like Kyla, the children were at or nearing the end of treatment options offered by physicians. Among these children is nine-year-old Madison, who now has many fewer seizures since she started using cannabis oil last fall. Four-year old Lily, who began using the oil as a result of the news stories about Kyla, has also enjoyed positive results. Remy, a two-year old boy, developed epilepsy with abnormal brain activity from a stroke he suffered at birth. Today, Remy's future looks much brighter with the relief provided by cannabis oil. Some of these children and their families will be at Rockn' for Kids. Doors open at 1 p.m. Dinner is at 6 p.m. Tickets are available in Summerland at The Beanery and Cozy Bay, in Penticton at the Dragon's Den and the Bad Tattoo and at the door. For information, call 250-494-6445 or 250-488-2002, or visit www.medicalcannabisforsickkids.com. - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom