Bender family raises money for incurable diseases

We met Gavin Bender and his family nearly two years ago, shortly after he was diagnosed with a rare incurable disease called Eosinophilic Esophagitis. The condition makes his allergies trigger white blood cell buildup in his esophagus which can lead to difficulty swallowing or choking.

“It was actually killing him,” explains his mom, Rebecca Bender. “The more (milk) that he would drink, the sicker he would get. There’s times he’ll chew food up and he can’t swallow it. For days, he’d just chew food up and spit it out.”

Since then Gavin’s parents were able to get him a feeding tube which makes it a lot easier for him to digest food but his mother tells 47 ABC that his condition has gotten worse.

“Usually they only attack his Esophagus, now that the disease has progressed it attacks his lungs and his blood has really high counts. Everything that goes into his body his body fights off as a virus attacks it.” said Rebecca as she hands over her new 17-month old baby, Gabriel Bender, who also has traces of the same conditions.

“Gabriel was born with mitochondrial disease. He started having issues during my pregnancy.” Explains his mom. “He was actually supposed to be a twin but I lost the other baby.”

With the worsening of Gavin’s condition and the addition to the family, the Bender’s needed to raise some money to help out with some immediate medical costs. With the help of the Delmar Advance Auto Parts and nearly a dozen different vendors, the family was able to host a fundraising event.  The parking lot of Advance Auto Parts was full of yard sales, car washes, face painting and scow cones for the kids, along with bake sales. All the proceeds went towards the families cause.

“I hope they find something and that they raise enough for their medical bills.” said Amanda Andrade, the manager of Advance Auto Parts and friend of the family as she held back tears. 

The Bender family was able to make $1,100.  For more on the Bender boys incurable diseases or to contribute a donation towards the cause, please visit their Facebook page.