Holy bloggin'!

One of my new favorite charities to help promote is the Niemann-Pick Disease Foundation. I hate that the disease exists, but I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to help out the folks at NPDF.

A young guy by the name of Dillon Papier, 7, is the son of Darrile and Mark Papier. Darrile graduated from Bowie High School in 1982 and her mom is still a devoted Bowie resident. Dillon is one of just 500 people worldwide who have NPD. Recently he celebrated his seventh birthday with the Baltimore Orioles, an organization, including its minor league affiliates like Frederick and Bowie, that has been incredibly supportive of the Papier family. Sadly, NPD usually claims the life of its victims by the time they turn 10.

Coming up is a golf tournament in Frederick, where Dillon and his parents live --- Mark is a Frederick native --- and the proceeds will go toward the NPDF. The third annual tournament will take place Oct. 16 at Hollow Creek Golf Club and will feature a silent auction of such sports memorabilia items as a signed 1972 Washington Redskins football, a framed 1961 New York Yankees World Series photo and a 2008 New York Giants Super Bowl football autographed by the team.

Dillon is one of the cutest kids you will ever meet, and that has nothing to do with NPD. But when you consider that his little light likely has just a few years to shine like it does, you cannot help but want to do something to help fight the disease.

These links will be helpful for anyone interested in learning about this ridiculously great family and the equally ridiculously ugly disease:  http://www.dillonsfight.org/dillonevents.htm  and http://www.dillonsfight.org/SilentAuctionItems.htm.

Because of funding from events such as Dillon Papier Day at Prince George's Stadium and the upcoming golf tournament, research is close to having an FDA-approved treatment study for NPD in 2011.

Listen, the foliage north of here is incredible this time of year. Any golfer who want to help a great cause and do it in a gorgeous fall sports atmosphere, please help!

Any questions can be directed to jlinger@bladenews.com or by visiting www.dillonsfight.org.