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It gives us great pleasure to recap our 3rd Annual Life for Luke Silent Auction and Dinner Gala.... First, a little bit of history on the event, it almost did not take place. It was not due to the lack of support but due to the fact that our energy level had been depleted over the last year. The only inspiration we needed was the courage and the smile of our hero and guest of honour Luke Liegghio. With our team of 25 committee members "Luke's Angels", the wind beneath our wings, we had only six months to move forward.
Luke's Angels
 From the onset guests were having to make strategic decisions whether to try and "bring home the bacon" behind our "crack the code" game, purchase a "Luke Bag" or be the lucky one to score the big prize with the NFL Pigskin Team Logo lottery. This was even before they had to decide which of the 200 plus silent auction items to bid on. In addition, everyone was asking themselves the big question of the evening : "How much will the Big Cheese wheel in?"
The Life for Luke moto is everyone goes home a winner:
- Crack the Code -
 130 ceramic piggy banks were sold with a 4 digit code on them. The person who's code opened our miniature barn door "Took home the bacon" which included a DVD Player, a digital camera, 4 tickets to a Toronto Raptor's NBA game, 1,000 air miles, a salami, a ham and a prosciutto. Every one kept the piggy bank they purchased and one in four also won a prize.
- Luke Bags -
100 guests were lucky enough to purchase a "Luke Bag". Each bag contained a prize valued more than the purchase price. Prizes ranged from gift certificates for car washes, restaurants, hair salon appointments, two hockey tickets and a DVD. In addition each Luke Bag was adorned with a "Life for Luke " gift tag and thank you magnet.
- Pigskin Lottery -
Each person lucky enough to score one of the 40 junior size NFL footballs not only took home the ball with their favourite team logo on it but also had a chance to win :
"The Ultimate Football Fan prize pack" which included an NFL replica jersey, vest, cap and two signed miniature helmets and much much more.
 *** Silent Auction ***
The community and friends rallied once again to allow us to offer over 200 items for silent auction. The crowd was courteous and well behaved until the "5 minute to go bell went off"... it then appeared to be like the New York Stock Exchange with bids increasing by leaps and bounds.
*** Live Auction ***
Three items were part of the live auction:
- A woman's coat with 2,000 air miles;
- Toronto Maple Leafs - Matt Sundin's signed jersey; and
- The Big Cheese - 35 kilos of Parmigiana
 The Life For Luke resident auctioneer, Claudio " Hopper " Peluso was welcomed with a thunderous round of applause .The big question was finally going to be answered. The Big Cheese was on the auction block again. Claudio had the crowd in a frenzy when we surpassed last year's bid with a bidding war resulting in a $2,000 final price tag . The big cheese did not leave the Liegghio family as Luke's Great Uncle Onorio, last year's winner's brother, took home the prize .
Not only did our auctioneer work his magic on the auction he did a tribute to our committee and guests by performing a lip sync to U2's "ONE". The song was fitting as we are "ONE" together in this fighting battle to find a cure for NPC . 
Aside from all the great games that were taking place and the wonderful prizes to be won or purchased we had a packed banquet hall of 340 people who were able to enjoy the sumptuous dinner from Il Cavaliere Banquet Hall and listen to the music arranged by Soundtek DJ.
The event was also attended by some especially important people in the fight against NPC: Dr. Marc Patterson from Columbia University in New York and Dr. Joe Clarke from the Hospital of Sick Children in Toronto. We were also strongly supported by three other families afflicted with NPC and NPA; the Beraldo, Taft and Vaughan families.
Enio & Lucy Liegghio,
Luke and Vanessa's Parents
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We are sincerely praying that Luke will be afforded the time to receive
this drug. In the last year, Luke has required a wheel chair to allow him to be mobile.
His inability to swallow solid foods has recently led us to equip him with a feeding tube.
This will ensure that he receives the proper nourishment he requires to stay healthy, both
mentally and physically. Early results are positive - he has gained over 2 pounds in the
first two weeks after the surgery and has been able to return to school full-time. This is
only one of the hurdles that needs to be overcome to allow Luke to receive the trial drug.
On Friday, March 5th, 2004, we will be hosting our 3rd annual Life For Luke Dinner
Dance and Silent Auction Gala. We are seeking sponsors for the dinner, along with monetary donations
and/or donated items for door prizes, raffles and for the silent auction. Your strong support would
be greatly appreciated. We will gratefully display your company name beside your donation and/or
include your name in our "display of thanks" to all those who donate. We will ensure that you
and/or your company will receive the justifiable recognition and advertising it deserves. Please
logon to our web site, www.lifeforluke.com, for highlights of last year’s gala.