(PRWEB) September 22, 2006 — Bids on autographed items from Daniel Radcliffe, Jim Dale, and Ewan McGregor lead the pack in an online auction of celebrity autographed items to benefit the Luke Neuhedel Foundation, a 501c3 charity that helps children fighting cancer. Radcliffe’s fans are furiously bidding over a copy of “Loving Luke”, a book of essays and poems about Luke Neuhedel and his inspirational battle with cancer, which Mr. Radcliffe signed for the auction. As of press time, the highest bid on this item was $650. The “Loving Luke” signed by Jim Dale was in second place at $200, and the Ewan McGregor signed copy was in third place at $100
Over 100 celebrities have donated autographed memorabilia to the Luke Neuhedel Foundation for an online auction that ends September 24th. A majority of the items are autographed copies of “Loving Luke,” the self-published book of the Luke Neuhedel Foundation about Luke Neuhedel, the inspiration for LNF, who died from cancer after a brave three-year battle. Luke’s Foundation provides financial assistance to children diagnosed with cancer.
Autographed photos, posters, Playbills, CDs, books, DVDs, and apparel are also included in the auction, donated by many generous celebrities, such as Steve Martin, Ian McKellan, Barbara Feldon, Elizabeth Hurley, Patrick Warburton, Hugh Laurie, Donald Trump, Bette Midler, Matthew Broderick, Sarah Jessica Parker, Vin Diesel, Tony Hawk, Sally Field, Robin Williams, James Earl Jones, Tim Allen, Patrick Stewart, Corbin Bleu, Cyndi Lauper, Brittany Spears, Rosie O’Donnell, Carol Burnett, Colin Mochrie, Alec Baldwin, Martha Stewart, and so many other caring celebrities. All proceeds from the auction will directly benefit children with cancer. Also available in a special raffle is a 1986 NY Mets jersey signed by over 20 players of the World Championship Team, including Hall of Famer Gary Carter, Keith Hernandez, Ray Knight, Darryl Strawberry, Mookie Wilson among others.
The Luke Neuhedel Foundation was founded in 2002 by Luke’s parents, family, and friends. LNF is an all-volunteer organization that has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been granted to thousands of children fighting cancer across the US. The Luke Neuhedel Foundation is proud that its volunteers can make sure that all funds raised help a child in need.
Luke was diagnosed with hepatoblastoma, a very rare pediatric liver cancer, in 1999 at age 9 months. Luke was predicted to die within a week, but his strong spirit and smiling face helped him live with his cancer for three years. After his death Luke’s family chose to celebrate his life by working to ease the struggle for other pediatric cancer patients and their families. LNF President, Rebecca Neuhedel, voluntarily works with social workers at pediatric cancer institutions across the US to reach out to children receiving treatment who need financial assistance and encouragement.
Pediatric cancer is the #1 killer of children in the US, affecting more children than AIDS, diabetes, congenital anomalies and cystic fibrosis COMBINED. The incidence of cancer in children is 20 times greater than the incidence of AIDS in children. Yet, funding for pediatric AIDS is four times greater than funding for pediatric cancer. The occurrence of children’s cancer in the US is increasing annually; the rate of cancer in teens is increasing at a greater rate than other cancers, including breast, prostrate, and lung. The National Cancer Institute’s federal budget for 2003 was $4.6 billion. Of that all 12 major forms of pediatric cancer combined received less than 3%. That does not include rare forms of cancer, such as hepatoblastoma. YET cancer kills more children in America than any other disease.
While adults are mostly affected by cancers of the breast, lung, prostrate, bowels and bladder, children are mostly affected by acute leukemia, tumors of the brain and nervous system, the lymphatic system, kidneys, bones, and muscles. The cause of many adult cancers is related to lifestyle choices; the cause of children’s cancers remains unknown. Pediatric cancer does not only affect the child, but has a major impact on the entire family. The average annual out-of-pocket expenses of having a child with cancer are approximately 53% of a family’s gross income. Sadly, parents of children with a chronic illness or who have suffered the death of a child have a divorce rate of 80%.
The Luke Neuhedel Foundation is committed to raising awareness of pediatric cancer and helping families, working toward the day when pediatric cancer is an oxymoron.
More information on the Luke Neuhedel Foundation can be found at www.lukefund.org. LNF can be contacted at PO Box 137, Massapequa Park NY 11762, 516-882-9183, or through its website.
