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Music, auctions and a mission to support medically fragile children will come together when Abbey Lights Up COTA returns for its eighth year.
What’s happening
The fundraising gala will take place Aug. 22 at Circuit of the Americas and feature:
Chet Garner, creator, host and executive producer of “The Daytripper,” will serve as emcee.
Where the money goes
Proceeds will support the Abigail E. Keller Foundation’s assistance programs for medically fragile and terminally ill children and their families, according to a news release.
Those efforts include providing:
Funds will also support the foundation’s effort to establish Abbey House—a proposed pediatric respite and hospice facility in Central Texas.
Digging deeper
Foundation officials envision Abbey House as a place where children with complex or life-limiting medical conditions can receive temporary overnight care outside a hospital.
Trained staff members would follow each child’s established care plan, allowing parents and other caregivers time to rest, focus on other family members or manage additional responsibilities, according to the foundation.
Those interested can donate to the efforts.
Why it matters
More than 85,000 medically fragile children live in Texas, including about 7,500 in Central Texas, according to foundation estimates.
Officials emphasized that Texas does not offer a non-hospital pediatric respite and hospice facility.
Some context
The Austin-based nonprofit was founded in 2019 in memory of Abigail Elizabeth Keller, who experienced medical challenges before dying at age 11, according to the release.
As previously reported by Community Impact, Abigail’s parents—Travis and Melissa Keller—created the foundation to help families caring for children with serious medical conditions.
What they’re saying
“The vision for Abbey House is rooted in the belief that no family should have to face those challenges alone,” foundation President and CEO Melissa Keller said in the release.
