Benefit for Cassidy Elsen

We come to you today to ask for your help with a benefit for Cassidy Elsen age 15, daughter of
Kevin Elsen and Melissa (Martin) Elsen of La Crosse. She has been battling for 9 years, a
terminal rare brain disease known as Leukodystrophy – Vanishing White Matter (VWM). This awful disease is deteriorating and there is no treatment or cure.

Vanishing White Matter disease (VWM) is a terminal rare brain disease. It is a progressive
neurological deterioration of the white matter that affects the nervous system and causes
neurological symptoms. This disease destroys the brains white matter and in doing so, it
permanently affects the transmission of brain signals to the rest of the body.

Cassidy was hospitalized for two weeks in January-February due to an infection which
deteriorated her VWM causing her to not be able to move her body. She lost the ability to
speak, she lost some of her head control. She has spastic diplegia (affects muscle control and
coordination, stiff and tight muscles), heel cord tightness, hamstring tightness, hypotonia of her trunk (low muscle tone), quadricep spasticity (muscle spasms), muscle weakness, and unfortunately many more things that this awful disease is doing to her body. Due to this, the Elsen family is on one income. All proceeds from this benefit will go to the Elsen family to help with their housing situation as Cassidy needs a handicap accessible home.

On Sunday, July 31st, 2022, a benefit will be held at the All Star Banquet Hall from
11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Plans at this time are to have food and refreshments, live and silent auctions,
bake sale, activities for the kids and adults and much more.

If you can help in any way possible by attending, donating items, other activities or with monetary donations it would be greatly appreciated. Monetary donations can be sent to Altra Federal Credit Union, Fundraiser Cassidy (2715 Losey Blvd. S., La Crosse, WI 54601); please make checks payable to Fundraiser Cassidy. Or you can make an online donation
https://givebutter.com/Cassidy

If you have any questions or would like to donate you may contact Lori Dickman @
(608) 487-0813 or Dan Bridges @ (608) 397-0488.

Thank you for your time and consideration!

Sincerely,
The Committee for the Cassidy Elsen Benefit
EIN # 87-3686666