Rock Out on Cinco de Mayo for a Great Cause

On May 5^th, local Davidsonville families the Hecks and Decesaris’ will host the seventh annual Bands on the Bay – a fundraiser that benefits the Hunter Nelson Sturge-Weber Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Sturge-Weber Syndrome is a congenital neurological disorder that affects one in every 20,000 live births.

Ida and Ed Heck’s daughter Jenna was born with Sturge-Weber. Jenna had a port wine birthmark on her face, a sign most commonly identified with the disease. The birthmark, which is caused by blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, skin and eyes, can lead to numerous long-term health issues including seizures and glaucoma.

Jenna Heck has Sturge-Weber Syndrome which is identifiable by a port wine birthmark. Photo courtesy of Bands on the Bay.

For the past six years, the families have hosted Bands on the Bay on a Sunday afternoon.  According to Heck, the group decided to spice it up this year by moving the benefit to a Saturday night and better yet, on Cinco de Mayo.

“We wanted a more party-like atmosphere in the hopes of drawing a bigger crowd,” she said. “Just like Cinco de Mayo, Bands on the Bay is a celebration of fun, food, terrific music and dancing.”

Heck said fundraising efforts begin today with a ‘donation match day.’  Today only, any online donation, sponsorship or ticket sales at www.bandsonthebay will be matched by an anonymous donor.

To date, Bands on the Bay has raised $850,000 dollars.

“The funds raised are essential to our ability to continue providing the expert clinical and research functions of the Center,” said Dr. Anne Comi, director of the Hunter Nelson Sturge-Weber Center at Kennedy Krieger Institute.  “We have many plans for the coming year including a new clinical trial so the funding from this event will be very important to our continued efforts and success.”

At this year’s event The Doug Segree Band, Orlando Phillips and Adam Day will perform throughout the evening. In addition the  Washington Redskin Cheerleaders will be on-hand to sign autographs and help auctioneer Robert Campbell auction off fabulous items to the highest bidder.

The Bands on the Bay benefit features a live and silent auction. Photo courtesy of Bands on the Bay.

The event will be held at Herrington on the Bay in Rose Haven from 5 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $75 and may be purchased at www. bandsonthebay.org.

For more information on Sturge-Weber Syndrome visit sturgeweber.kennedykrieger.org.