Documents, articles, downloads, audio and video from the community events and worldwide happenings in and around Batten Disease.

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Progresses in Batten disease research (video)
Updated: 2010-08-30 16:25:54

Help Raise Funds

Donate to Batten Disease and help fund the necessary research developments to find solutions to Batten Disease.

Donate To BDSRA Online

Building awareness and raising funds for Batten Disease Research

Below is an archive of material pertaining to fundraising for family and friends of those impacted by Batten Disease.

First Time Fundraisers bring in $18,000

Miles for Michael, a fundraiser to benefit the Batten Disease Support and Research Association, was held Saturday at the John Gurski Stadium at Wilson High School.

More than 350 people walked the outdoor track at the stadium to raise $18,000 to fight the disease that took the life of Michael Pinder, son of Mike and Vicki Pinder of Spring Township. Batten disease is a fatal, inherited disorder of the nervous system.



Kufs Bike Run Benefit

August 21st in Shelbino, MO.

An awareness and fundraising benefit to honor Paula White and Jim Frye



Rocking & Rolling for a great cause

Asher Nikolajevs, 13, may be suffering from Batten Disease (Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis), but his family is focused on making sure his struggle with the eventually fatal ailment is not in vain by hosting their annual fundraiser. This year marks the fifth AsherBash event, which takes place July 17 at Knucklehead Saloon in Huron.

“This is where we raise money for research for (the) Batten Disease Support and Research Association,” said Nikolajevs’s mother, Leisa Nikolajevs. “It’s an international organization that, thankfully for us, is pretty local, located in Reynoldsburg, Ohio near Columbus. Batten Disease is pretty rare and it doesn’t get a lot of government funding. So as parents, we feel obligated to do whatever we can for research, and this is our event to do that.”



Oggie Open Footage [video]



Batten Awareness Recognition

Dear Batten Families,

We all know the importance of bringing Batten Disease awareness to the community in order to increase funding for research. Many of our families have done a tremendous job putting together websites, Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, blogs etc. that help promote awareness for Batten Disease. At this year’s conference, we would like to recognize some of those sites, pages and postings. We are asking you to forward a link to any of your sites to be displayed at this year’s conference.

We are also interested in pictures you have from any community events or fundraisers. Please send these links and pictures to aryan@bdsra.org.

Thank you,

BDSRA board



BDSRA In-Kind Donation Needs

Below is a list of items BDSRA is in need of, if you'd desire to make an in-kind donation or sponsorship:

  • DVD-R's
  • CD+R
  • Jewel Cases
  • Business and Mailing Envelopes
  • Copy Paper
  • Ink and Toner Cartridges (please call for specifics)
  • Postage
  • File Folders and Binders
  • Batteries
  • Packing Slips
  • mailing labels.
  • Mino Flip HD video camera

We would also like to find an in kind sponsor for our newsletter to cover the cost of printing and distribution.

Email Adina Ryan, Director of Development, for more information



Soccer Fundraiser Planned

“Kicking Batten’s for Carl” is a soccer clinic and silent auction fundraiser set for Saturday in the playfields adjacent to the Arlington Boys & Girls Club on 59th Avenue NE.

Carl Bergram, the late son of Jeff and Robin Bergam, suffered from Batten Disease, a neurological disorder that causes seizures, mental impairment, a progressive loss of sight and, finally, death. Carl died Feb. 3, 2009. There is no known cure for the disease.



Corporate Conference Support Letter

Below is a sample letter for contacting potential corporate sponsors for support of the annual conference.

Celebrity Contact Letter

Attached is a sample document for addressing a potential celebrity sponsor/participant for a fundraising activity.

Beads for Batten Fundraiser

On April 24, in Gallipolis, Ohio, Jeri Allie (and her daughters Jamie and Jessica, and daughter in law Kate) held Beads for Batten, an event that sold beads (for Pandora and Trollbead bangle bracelets).
The beads cost $3 each, and 100% of the proceeds benefited BDSRA (earmarked for infantile research, and so matched by Emma's Hugs).
Jeri sold nearly 1500 beads, raising over $4,000 that has been donated in honor of our daughter Celia Betz. People who bought beads received a coupon to use at the local Bob Evans (the original homestead in Rio Grande, Ohio) which allowed 15% of their dinner bill to be donated to BDSRA as well.

Event Specific Batten Awareness Weekend Release

Event specific Batten disease awareness weekend press release.

General Batten Awareness Weekend Press Release

General Press Release for Batten Awareness Weekend.

Hayden's Hope Charity Ride

The Hayden's Hope Charity Ride took place on Saturday, May 22, 2010. The ride began at Stock's Harley Davidson in Manitowoc, WI and ended at the Iron Buffalo Saloon in Menchalville, WI. We had a wonderful turnout...140 bikes and we raised $8,000. It was a blast!



BDSRA Logo

Recently BDSRA underwent a change to our logo. This new logo is for your use in any printed materials you might like to print and share for your fundraising events, letters, and press releases. We have two additional logos available. If you need further assistance with logos, please contact the Director of Development at 866-287-7233.

Sample Press Release

Use this sample press release to share your family story or upcoming events with your local media outlets.

Email Campaign Template



Poker Run Planning Guide



WalkAThon Planning Guide

WalkAThon's are a fun and easy activity to plan and raise funds for BDSRA. You will be amazed at the amount of support and generosity that your friends, family members and business contacts will give you, simply because you ask.

Golf Outing Planning Guide



Fundraising Guide



BDSRA Postage Now Available!

Private label postage now available on Zazzle.com! This is a unique opportunity to help build awareness to our cause. Please be sure to check out additional Batten Disease merchandise and postage from other supporters as well.

BDSRA Brochure

View and download the newest BDSRA brochure. The brochure is great for spreading awareness about Batten Disease or asking people to make a donation.