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LUDLOW – Elizabeth Venancio is hoping a benefit on April 9 will give her son Jaimie something he really needs: a new wheelchair van that can take him to his vital medial appointments.

Family, friends and supporters will gather April 9, 5:30 p.m., at the Gremio Lusitano Portuguese Club, 385 Winsor St., Ludlow, for a fundraiser. The evening will include food and raffles and the cost is $25.

Jaime is now 9 years old. He was born with a hypoplastic left heart requiring three open-heart surgeries to repair. On his second heart surgery is when life started to change for the entire family. Jaime suffered a stroke, which has caused him to struggle with everyday normal functions.

Elizabeth told Reminder Publications the family is hoping “to get as much as we can for a wheelchair accessible van” at the fundraiser. She said the cost of such a vehicle is about $60,000.

This is the first time the family has staged a fundraiser.

She explained the family does a lot of driving for Jaime. His appointments with his doctors are in Boston, while his physical therapist is in New Hampshire.

Tickets are available in advance by calling Bob Fido at 433-6531 and are also available at the Europa Restaurant, 782 Center St., Ludlow.

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