Bea Youngs Paxson and Mike Paxson, local residents of Lehigh Acres, are hosting The Christian Lon Charity Paintball Event May 5-6, 2012. Bea Youngs Paxson has been a resident of Lehigh Acres since 1984 and has been a part of the paintball industry since 2002. She is the owner and captain of all-female paintball team known as Destiny since 2004. Destiny Paintball is conducting a clinic that teaches the basic fundamentals of paintball on Saturday, May 5, starting at 830AM. The clinic will be instructed by well-known professional paintball players. On Sunday, May 6, a 2-on-2 Tournament will be held. Part of the proceeds from both days will go towards the MPS Society in Christian Lon’s honor. Christian Lon is brother to Destiny team player, Jackie Lon. Jackie Lon and her father, Tony Lon, will be participating during the charity, as well.
The event will be hosted in two parts at Extreme Rage of Fort Myers, Florida.
Day 1/ May 5th: Clinic, with the girls of Destiny and more! Pro player Mike Paxson and Paintball Legend, Rocky Cagnoni, Former Championship Pro Player, Billy Wing and Eric Dearman to instruct. Other surprise former pros to attend.
Day 2/ May 6th: 2-on-2 tournament.
It’s just $50 to attend the clinic and those that participate in the clinic will also get free entry into the 2-on-2 tournament.
For more information regarding the Destiny Charity event, please visit
https://www.facebook.com/DestinyPaintball
About MPS Society – The Story of Christian Lon and why we want to help MPS Society by Jackie Lon
Christian is afflicted with a severe terminal illness called Hunter’s Syndrome. Hunter’s Syndrome is one of eight different forms of MPS (Mucopolysaccharide); Christian has MPS II. This disease is a genetic disorder, which lacks a specific enzyme that breaks down bodily sugars; as a result, the Mucopolysaccharide accumulates within the body and destroys the child’s most vital organs. There is currently no cure, but there are enzyme replacement therapies that prevent the progression of the disease. Some children are affected both cognitively and bodily. For those who are affected cognitively, the enzyme replacement treatment does not penetrate the blood-brain barrier; therefore, the deterioration within the brain will ultimately end the lives of those children. For those not affected cognitively, they can prevent the disease from progressing at a significant level.
In my brother’s case, he is affected both cognitively and bodily. He was diagnosed at the age of three. Like most three year olds he could walk, jump, and dance. After he hit the age of four up until age six, he could sing, talk, and laugh. After six he slowly started to lose his ability to comprehend simple concepts, his legs started to lose muscular tone, and his hands started to deform until they were clawed shut. At this point in his life (16 years old) the enzyme replacement treatment has kept him as healthy as can be achieved, but he has lost all muscle tone (he is unable to walk), he has the mental capacity of a newborn infant, and he is now on a permanent feeding tube.
The MPS Society’s main mission is to raise money for further development in the search for a cure as well as developing the enzyme treatment. They also work to bring community to families with MPS children, providing annual conferences for families to receive healing through each others company. The MPS Society also works to raise awareness both nationally and internationally so that governments will be willing to cover the treatment for these children. The enzyme replacement treatment is around $60K to $100K a year and most health insurances have refused coverage due to the rarity of the disease. To raise money for the MPS Society’s mission not only will help my brother but all past, present, and future families who will face the reality of this tragic disease. Thank you for your time and God Bless!! – Jackie Lon