Excerpt of article by Chris Michlewicz of the Douglas County News Press: An auction to benefit the Teen With a Dream Foundation raised nearly three times the expected amount of money. The recent fund-raiser, hosted by 9News meteorologist Kathy Sabine, brought in $28,000 and drew about 200 people to The Wildlife Experience. The money will go to the Childhood Hematology-Oncology Associates in Denver, where Spencer Harrison, the 16-year-old founder of the nonprofit organization, received treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma starting in 2003. Harrison said he expected the benefit auction to bring in $10,000." It's just baffling," he said. "We didn't expect that much money at all." Harrison's Teen With a Dream Foundation collects items to make chemotherapy treatment sessions more comfortable for kids. So far, the group has received 10 donated recliners from La-Z-Boy, including two from Lewis & Floorwax, who invited Harrison to be on their morning radio show on 103.5 The Fox. The chairs will be used in the treatment center's patient area to "help make an unpleasant experience as comfortable as possible," he said. Harrison, a sophomore at Ponderosa High School, has been actively fund-raising since becoming cancer-free. Some of the money raised during the silent and live auctions will be used to buy artwork for the chemotherapy treatment room at CHOA. Teen With a Dream will host a charity golf tournament Aug. 26 at The Ridge at Castle Pines North. The $215 registration fee includes breakfast, lunch, a golf cart and 18 holes of play. Call 720-519-4574 to reserve your spot before the Aug. 16 cut-off date.
