Ella's Retreat hosts Night Out for pediatric cancer

Posted 11/14/13

On Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m., Ella’s Retreat is holding a Night Out for Hope to raise funds for families fighting childhood cancer. In a festive party atmosphere at Seven Dolors Hall, 1200 E. …

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Ella's Retreat hosts Night Out for pediatric cancer

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On Saturday, Nov. 16, at 8 p.m., Ella’s Retreat is holding a Night Out for Hope to raise funds for families fighting childhood cancer. In a festive party atmosphere at Seven Dolors Hall, 1200 E. Willow Grove Ave. in Wyndmoor, guests are invited to enjoy tasty craft beers from Philadelphia Brewing Company and a great music.

Guest brewer Greg Potocki will be serving Ella’s Retreat’s signature Proton Pale Ale and local bands The Planets and Jonathan Doh & Richard Douglass will be performing.

A silent auction features Philadelphia sports memorabilia, tickets, jewelry, retail and restaurant gift cards, Phillies and Sixers tickets and ESF summer camp. This year new auction items include services such as fitness and nutritional consultations, tax preparation, resume writing and bicycle tune-ups. Guests will also treated to chair massages throughout the evening.

All proceeds from Night Out for Hope go directly towards helping a family facing a child’s fight with cancer. Ella’s Retreat provides housing, transportation and incidentals for children (and their families) required to temporarily relocate to Philadelphia for proton therapy treatment at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), one only four centers in the country offering such therapy.

Named for Joe and Audrey Walsh’s daughter Ella who was diagnosed with Orbital Rhabdomyosarcoma when she was a toddler in 2009, Ella’s Retreat most recently hosted Kelsey McCarthy and her family from Buffalo, N.Y. They had just a few days notice to plan for a six-week stay in Philadelphia.

“There are now so many organizations fund-raising for all kinds of research and cures. Donating to Ella's Retreat might not sound as important as donating to research and cure organizations. But to a family in these circumstances, having a great organization like Ella's Retreat ready to provide direct support, is just as important,” said Kelsey’s mother Sue.

Audrey Walsh understands this. When Ella was ill, the closest location for proton therapy was Boston’s Mass General Hospital, so the Walsh family spent six weeks in Boston with meals and housing provided, thanks to the generosity of a non-profit organization there. They established Ella’s Retreat in 2011, when Ella was declared cancer-free.

Night Out for Hope is all about celebrating life and supporting each other.

“This event is for everyone to come out, jam to live music, sip local craft brew, and enjoy each other,” said Joe Walsh. “It’s designed to be an upbeat celebration where thoughts of cancer and sick kids are put aside so we can focus on all those families out there we have yet to help.”

Tickets to Ella’s Retreat Night Out for Hope are $25 and can be reserved are available at www.ellasretreat.org.

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