Kick-A-Thon Benefit Planned May 28

Posted on May 11, 2011

West Coast Martial Arts Academy plans the Kick for Life Kick-A-Thon to honor a local youth and his struggle against hydrocephalus.

The event – sponsored by Danceology Performing Arts Campus, Frozen Ropes, and Bounce California – is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 28, at West Coast, 10890-B Thornmint Road in 4S Ranch. It benefits Liam Gutierrez, who was born Nov. 10, 1998, with congenital hydrocephalus, a chronic disease that involves excess fluid inside the skull and has no known cure.

During his first month of life he had more than 20 brain surgeries. After 18 months, the number of medical procedures had almost quadrupled to 75. Because Liam’s parents did not want to see other parents go through the same struggle they endured, they created the Liam’s Fund, which is dedicated to raising awareness about hydrocephalus and buying more sophisticated neurosurgical equipment for Rady’s Childrens Hospital.

Will and Hank Deutschendorf, owners of West Coast Martial Arts Academy, became involved in the Liam’s Fund because of a classmate/student who also suffered from the disease. Since then, they have tried to pass along the importance of giving back to the community to their students.

For additional information, contact the Academy at 858-451-KICK. In addition to the Kick-a-Thon event, donations also are accepted directly at www.liamsfund.com/.