FianaFest Fundraiser will benefit Kosair Children’s Hospital | News

From Amanda Flanary

LOUISVILLE, KY – Fiana Flanary is a happy seven-year-old with golden curls and a smile that lights up a room. Not much can slow her down these days. But that hasn’t always been the case. Shortly after Fiana was born, she was diagnosed with Williams Syndrome, a genetic condition affecting 1 in 10,000 babies born worldwide.

Heart issues associated with the condition began to appear almost immediately after Fiana was born and at just 2 days old, doctors at Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville performed exploratory surgery on her little body.  What they found were several areas of Fiana’s heart were too narrow and they suggested cardiac catheterization, a procedure using a scope to determine damaged areas of the heart, once her body was a bit stronger. 
At about 6 months old, the doctors at Kosair Children’s Hospital preformed a heart catheterization on Fiana.  There were problems in the operating room and Fiana had a bad reaction to the anesthesia, resulting in several scary weeks of recovery. Fiana was even on life support for several days. 
“Looking back on that terrible time, I felt I had to do something to thank the doctors, nurses, and staff at Kosair Children’s Hospital for all they did to save Fiana and all they did to help my family through the worst days of our lives,” said Patrick Flanary, Fiana’s father and the organizer of the FianaFest Fundraiser to benefit Kosair Children’s Hospital. “What better way to say thank you than combining my passion for music and my desire to help other families who may be struggling with similar situations?”

Patrick has been an active participant in Louisville’s local music scene for several years. His longest-running project, The Mighty Auroch (TMA), will headline the benefit concert for Kosair Children’s Hospital.

On September 29th, other area bands will join TMA for a day-long music and art showcase at The Mammoth, a restored art co-op downtown.  All profits will benefit Kosair Children’s Hospital. 

“Fiana has meant so much to all of us [Patrick’s friends],  her light shines for us each day,”  said Julie Lunn, a local photographer who will be exhibiting her photography at the event. “We are so excited to work toward something so meaningful.”

For more information, contact Amanda Flanary or email: fianafest@gmail.com. 

 
EVENT DETAILS:
FianaFest at the Mammoth
744 S. 13th St.
Louisville, KY
Saturday September 29, 2012

Tickets: $15 presale, $18 at the door