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Heart of Doernbecher Auction Features Former Doernbecher Patient Who Beat the Odds

   Portland, Ore.

Twelve-year-old girl shares story of surviving meningococcemia

Friends of Doernbecher will present the Heart of Doernbecher 2001 Auction "An Autumn Affair ... Celebrating a Season of Miracles" to benefit the children of Doernbecher Children's Hospital on Saturday, Oct. 27, at 5 p.m. at the historic Governor Hotel in downtown Portland.

The evening will feature the triumphant story of former Doernbecher patient Rachel Bakamus of Longview, Wash., who lost her feet and several fingers to meningococcemia when she was 10 months old. Rachel, who is now 12 years old, will share her story of surviving the disease to become an inspiring young girl.

The evening also will feature silent and live auctions, and entertainment by the Tom Grant Trio. Former television personality Sharon Mitchell will preside as the mistress of ceremonies. This year's goal is to surpass the $275,000 raised at last year's auction. General tickets are available for $150 each and patron tickets are $250 each. Tables of 10 also are available for $1,500 and $2,500. Call 503 220-8343 for more information.

Proceeds from the auction support the Friends Medical Care Endowment Fund, established in 1999 to assist families with the costs of treatment at Doernbecher. The 2001 Heart of Doernbecher Auction is co-sponsored by Trailblazer Foods/Miller Family Holdings, Unified Western Grocers, U.S. Bank, and Arnie and Cheryl Ecklund.

With nationally recognized programs in pediatric heart surgery, neurosurgery and cancer, Doernbecher Children's Hospital provides primary and specialized care to nearly 40,000 patients each year from Oregon, southwest Washington and beyond. As part of OHSU, the state's only academic health and science center, Doernbecher alone combines healing, teaching, discovery and community service in its mission to improve the health of all children. In 2000 Doernbecher was named a Child Health Research Center by the National Institutes of Health.

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