SoCal Jiu-Jitsu
Community you know what time it is. Time to unite once again for another Grapplethon
event. Since last year the Grapplethon events here in Southern California seemed to
be getting bigger and bigger which makes this upcoming charity event one that
myself and everyone is looking forward too.
This event will make its return to a very familiar
location.
Optimus BJJ
31151 Niguel Rd.
Laguna Niguel, California 92677
Date: September 13 2014
Time: 1:30 pm-
until everyone leaves
What is a Grapplethon
: A GrappleThon is a Brazilian
jiu jitsu event for charity, where the BJJ community gets together to roll for
a predetermined period, fundraising for a worthy cause. In the case of the way
I do them we pick an individual who seriously needs the help ex: someone stuck
in a serious life crisis such as death in the family, cancer, or other life stricken
issues.
Grapplethon is NOT
A TOURNAMENT however it is a gathering of another kind where different
grappling practitioners drop there academy flags and come together for a just
cause training and learning from one another. Grapplethon is an open mat 180
minute rolling session, which usually goes longer than that. The rolls will be
6 minutes each (timer style) so at the end of the day you will get 30 rolls of
great training while also hopefully meeting new friends in the process while supporting
a great cause.
What is the Cause: This
event we will be supporting the very young but tough Liam Stark who is going through a tough battle against auto
immune disease.
"Hi my name is Liam. I have
been fighting for my life since day 1. Doctors didn’t give me a chance to
survive due to heart conditions while I was in utero, But I did. When I was
born May 20, 2013 I had some breathing issues. I would choke, Turn blue, even
stop breathing. About 2 Months old doctors finally found out what was wrong
with me. I had a Laryngeal Cleft ( rare congenital abnormality in the posterior
laryngo- tracheal wall). There is a gap between the oesophagus and trachea,
which allows food or fluid to pass into the airway. Then I also was diagnosed with GERD (reflux disease).
I have a heart condition that they are still trying to figure out. I also have
a rare auto immune disease called Primary Hypogammaglobulinemia. Which is low
levels of gamma globulin (antibodies) in the blood and I am in high increased
risk of infections.( bacterial infections, Viral infections, colds, flu ect.)
Also I have low levels of B-cells (lymphocytes)-Special white blood cells. BUT
because I have low level of B-cells and no antibodies my body attacks itself
especially my organs. Also my body doesn't response to titers ( immunizations).
This disease makes me in a higher risk for blood cancers and an infection could
also take my life if I cant fight it off. There is no cure for this all my
doctor can do is give me blood transfusion treatments every 4 weeks (IVIG
therapy). I
have been in the PICU center, Observation rooms at the hospital, overnight
stays, ambulance rides, Always at the pediatric doctors office. I have been
under anesthesia numerous of times for surgical producers or for medical
testing. But despite all of this I am one of the happiest and amazing little
boys you’ll ever meet."
Price: The cost to attend will be $ 10 nothing less.However if you choose to donate more that is totally fine.
Raffle Prizes: Raffle
prizes will be raffled after every 12 minutes (2 rolls) so everyone will get to
get there prize during the event!!! (Sponsors and gifts will be announced on
the event page in the coming days leading up to the event).
FYI: Color Post
Its with your first and last name will be used as the “raffle ticket” so
luckily you don’t have to look at your number while training.
In-Door entry Gift: First 50 people to show up to the event will receive an exclusive Grapplethon patch !! More In-Door entry gifts will be announced on the event page.
Grapplethon Big 300 Challenge: As most of you remember from past
Grapplethon events I completed two 1914 Kimonos to earn extra money for the two
charities those events focused on. In an effort to make Grapplethon more
interactive for its participants at Grapplethon: Team Dana Moore over 20
individual stepped up to this challenge and was able to get Dana some extra
money. For all you new comers, the Big 300 Challenge is completing 300 rounds
of sparing. Now unless you’re the Iron Man Liam himself there is no way one person
can roll 300 times that is why we must assemble as a team to complete this
challenge for Liam.
Everyone is
welcome to Participate. Each person who steps up to the challenge set a goal number
of rolls they hope to achieve. At the end of Grapplethon if the number adds up
to 300 or more $ 300 extra bucks will be donated to Liam.
Signs up for the Challenge
will be open in Mid- August… Note: there may even be some new twists so stay tuned.
For more information and updates on this great charity event please visit
Grapplethon: Liam's Fight Event Page
If you have any questions contact Monta Wiley or Brett Weekley at Facebook.