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Health & Fitness

Harrison High School and Mamaroneck High School to Host Benefit Concert for 5P Minus Organization

Students from Harrison High School and Mamaroneck High School are joining forces to host a benefit concert to raise money and awareness for the 5P Minus Organization on Friday, November 22 at 7pm in the Harrison Performing Arts Center at Harrison High School.

The 5P Minus Organization provides educational, financial, and emotional resources to families with children diagnosed with Cri-du-Chat syndrome, an extremely rare genetic chromosomal disorder that occurs when there is a deletion of the 5th chromosome.  The disorder is also known as the Cry of the Cat or Cat Cry referring to the sound of the cry from these children.   Only 1 of every 50,000 births result in this chromosomal deletion and 90% are a result of spontaneous chromosome splits with 10% a result of a predisposed genetic connection.

For the students of both of these high schools, there was a personal connection to this rare disorder. Leah Moore, an English teacher at Harrison High School and her husband Zac, the PACE (Performing Arts Curriculum Experience) theater teacher at Mamaroneck High School have a beautiful two and one-half year old daughter with Cri-du-Chat. Even though raising a child with Cri-du-Chat is a very personal and private journey, the two wanted to raise awareness and thought that the best way to do so was to do what they do best – teach.

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The 5P Organization is running an “I Can” campaign to showcase what these children are capable of, despite the diagnosis.  The two beloved teachers had their students focus on what they can do that they didn’t or others did not think was possible. As a testament to Leah and Zac’s openness and passion to help others, over hundred students and faculty members have signed on to perform at the benefit and nearly as many others are donating their time and talents to make the event a success.

Not unlike other chromosomal disorders, each child with Cri-du-Chat can be affected differently on a spectrum.  Most individuals have difficulties and delays with eating, walking, language, growth and cognitive thought.  The Moores’ daughter receives roughly 30 hours a week of services such as Occupational, Physical, and Speech Therapy and currently attends school at the Blythdale Children’s Hospital.  The Moores consider themselves fortunate that they live in an area that allocates substantial resources to children like her daughter.  Nationwide the cost of treatment for those with Cri-du-Chat can exceed $80,000 a year.

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“Not every area of the country provides the same services to these children,” said Mrs. Moore. “We were fortunate to attend a family conference with parents and caregivers from all over the country who are living with Cri-du-Chat every day and share our triumphs and frustrations, our laughter and our tears.”

Leah and Zac are hoping the money raised will allow other families to attend the annual Cri-du-Chat conference.  For $500, a family can attend the conference and receive medical attention, become informed on the latest developments and techniques, and receive educational and in many cases emotional support.  100% of the money raised will go directly to the 5P Minus organization (fivepminus.org).

Tickets for the benefit concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors and will be sold at the door.

“Our daughter’s doctors said she would never walk but she is walking.  She loves to chase after her therapy dog,” Mrs. Moore said with a smile.  “They said she would never talk but she is talking and communicating with us.  If there is a key point that I hope people take away from the concert is not to let others tell you what you can and cannot do.”

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