LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- If you drive down Main Street on Saturday, you'll see people rappelling down the Louisville Slugger Museum.
Some people have raised thousands of dollars to help sick children and their reward is rappelling off a building.
"You'll never really know the impact that something like this can have on a family," said Candice Lofton, who's son has a rare genetic syndrome. "The depth of joy it can bring."
Lofton's son Judah will be 3 years old in October 2024.
Judah Lofton (in orange) has a rare genetic syndrome. His mother, Candice, is rappelling off of the Louisville Slugger Museum to fundraise for him and other children with chronic and critical illnesses.
"It's devastating to receive a diagnosis like that for your child," she said.
At just 10 months old he had brain surgery. It was eight hours long.
"He's the bravest guy I know," Lofton said.
This diagnosis changed her family's life forever. They didn't have many people to lean on in Louisville. Critically Loved, a local nonprofit, threw her family a lifeline.
"They've been so great with resources but the biggest thing that Critically Loved did for us, was giving us other people who knew what we were going through," Lofton said.
Now, Lofton's giving back by rappelling off of the Slugger Museum. This fundraiser helps kids battling cancer and other life-threatening conditions.
"I knew that if he could go through the surgery and still show up and still smile and still be as strong as he was, that I could be brave, too," Lofton said.
She's not alone as nearly 100 people, including WDRB reporter Reyna Katko, are going over the edge.
Critically Loved partnered with Camp Quality Kentuckiana, an organization that helps childhood cancer patients.
"Neither one one of us charge anything for our programming, so we rely on fundraisers like this to exist," said Eddie Bobbitt, the executive director of Camp Quality.
They hope to raise $100,000. The funds and the fun help families like Judah's.
"Thank you to everyone who has donated and thank you to the special needs kid who teach us what it means to be brave every single day," Lofton said.
If you’d like to sponsor someone rappelling over the edge or just donate to the cause, click here.
Related Stories:
- Down Syndrome of Louisville holding 'Over the Edge' at Louisville Slugger Museum on Oct. 28
- Nonprofits rappel from downtown Louisville hotel to raise awareness, funding for Down Syndrome
Copyright 2024 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
