Princess Ball raises nearly $1,500, helps local boy
Proceeds benefit children with EB, a rare genetic skin disorder that causes blistering.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Donnie Morris loves kindergarten, climbing trees and singing himself to sleep every night.
But unlike other 6-year-old boys, a simple car ride can endanger his health, and even socks can blister and tear his skin.
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Get latest headlines via RSS feeds"He's the happiest little boy. You'd never know he has a disease like that," said his mother, Mary Ann Morris.
The Madison Twp. boy has Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare genetic skin disease characterized by chronic painful blistering.
Of three types, Donnie has Dystrophic EB, meaning his skin lacks protein to bind its layers.
Each day, his parents wrap his fragile skin, spending more than $1,000 a month on bandages.
"We try to live each day to its fullest," his mother said.
The Morris family finds help in a national organization called DebRA of America, a group dedicated to finding effective treatment and a cure for EB.
"Any help whatsoever — it's all through DebRA," she said.
On Saturday night, Karisma Salon & Spa hosted the Princess Charity Ball at Forest Hills Country Club to benefit DebRA.
Tiaras were on every table, and faux butterflies decorated people's hair.
The children who suffer from EB are often called butterfly children "because their skin is as thin as butterfly wings," said Kelly Epperson, owner of Karisma located in Monroe.
The benefit Saturday night raised about $1,500 for the organization.
More than 200 people attended the ball, which included a fashion show, DJ, live band, silent auction and more, all made possible by donations from the community.
Epperson said she hopes to hold the ball again next year.
"This has been so flattering," Morris said.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2551 or mengle@coxohio.com.
