ALEXANDRIA — Janie Fausz has a son with a debilitating disease and a pile of medical bills. But she can still talk of being blessed.

        “I'm blessed by friends and people who care about me and my family,” Mrs. Fausz explained. “It's just amazing what people will do for you and your family when you need help.”

        The people helping Mrs. Fausz, her husband, Andy, and their 7-year-old son, Jacob, are from the family's church, First Baptist Church of Cold Spring in Campbell County.

        Members of the congregation are holding a fund-raiser Fridaynight to raise money for treatment of the couple's son, who suffers from a form of muscular dystrophy called Duchenne's.

        “He's slower than his peers,” Mrs. Fausz said. “He's not as strong or as fast as the other kids. Eventually, his muscles will get weaker and weaker and he's probably going to end up in a wheelchair some day.”

        Though the couple has medical insurance, it hasn't covered all the bills, including physical therapy. And in addition to ultimately needing to purchase a motorized wheelchair, the family pays to send Jacob to a clinic out of state for special treatments and therapy.

        So several weeks ago, members of the church began organizing a fund-raiser for the family, said Shonda Kowolonek of Fort Thomas.

        “Jacob's therapy can cost as much as $100 each time he goes, and he has to go sometimes three to four days a week,” Mrs. Kowolonek said. “We knew the family was going through this and the people at the church just wanted to do something to help.”

        The event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Marquise Banquet Hall at the Town and Country Sports Complex on Ky. 9 in Wilder. The cost is $20 a person and hors d'oeuvres, refreshments and entertainment will be provided.

        An auction will also be held featuring, among other items:

        • Sports memorabilia, including a Shaun Alexander rookie card, a Hank Aaron baseball bat and University of Kentucky basketballs.

        • Tickets to Riverbend concerts, the Playhouse in the Park and Cincinnati Reds' games.

        • Lasik laser vision correction surgery.

        • A one-week stay at a condominium in Hilton Head, S.C.

        • A day trip to a spa.

        Tickets will be available at the door. For more information call 635-0977.

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