n

e
v
e
l
Aili K
t
i
f
e
n
e
B

See below for

info on how to
order a tote
with this
custom design!

Her Story:
Aili was born to parents Mike and Kelly (Higgins) Kleven on 7/23/13, but despite being full
term, had not been growing well in utero and was a mere 5 lbs 3 oz at birth. Over the ensuing
months, Aili developed increasing difficulty breathing and she saw numerous specialists in hopes of
finding an explanation for her unrelenting struggles and failure to thrive. She was started on
supplemental oxygen and had surgery on her airway, but these measures remained inadequate.
In March 2014, she had a biopsy performed on an enlarging lymph node in her neck. The results
were devastating. Sweet Aili, at 8 months of age and weighing only 11.5 lbs, was diagnosed with
an aggressive form of pediatric cancer, stage 3 neuroblastoma. The tumor compressed Aili's airway
as well as the carotid arteries supplying blood to her brain, putting her at risk for stroke. She was
transferred by ambulance to Children's Hospital of Minneapolis to begin treatment under a team of
specialists. Over the next 6 months, Aili underwent 4 rounds of chemotherapy and a total of 6
surgeries for treatment of her cancer and its complications.
Today, Aili is growing, breathing, smiling, and laughing. Unfortunately, nerve damage in her
throat and esophagus leaves her unable to swallow food or manage her own airway secretions. She
continues to rely entirely on tube feeds and works closely with speech therapy to develop oral
motor control and swallowing function. Despite being cancer free, she has continued to suffer
numerous complications from her swallowing dysfunction and has had recurrent hospitalizations,
ER visits, clinic appointments, and diagnostic testing. The complexity of Ailis daily needs renders
her unable to attend regular daycare, and her parents have exhausted medical leave, vacation/sick
time, and financial resources in their efforts to provide the care that she needs.
Please join us by raising funds to help support this amazing family.

SILENT AUCTION * DINNER * ENTERTAINMENT * RAFFLE *

KIDS ACTIVITIES & MORE!

Date: Saturday, De
cember 13th
Time: 4 : 00 pm 7 : 00 pm
Place: Peace Unite
d Church of Chris
t
1111 N 11th Ave E
,
Duluth, MN
Cost: Free to Atten
d
,
D
inner $7
(kids 7 & under
eat free with paid

adult!)

Additional Information:
*Ailis Story: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/ailikleven
*Ailis Benefit Website (check here for benefit updates, a list of some big auction items,
and to pre-purchase dinner tickets and totes online): http://ailiklevenbenefit.weebly.com
*Make a Financial Donation: online: http://www.gofundme.com/ailijane ,
ily
ili & Fam & Kelly
A
in person: Wells Fargo Bankreference Aili Kleven Donation Fund
ike
Parents M r Colton
e
or contact Kristen (Anderson) Stahl: kristjoy@yahoo.com
Big Broth
*Donate a silent auction item: contact Andrea Podpeskar: ajpodpeskar@gmail.com
*Donate a food/paper item for the benefit: contact Jennie (Witty) Emeott: jennie_witty@hotmail.com
*Arrange to volunteer: contact Taryn Arnberg: tarynarnberg@hotmail.com or Crystal Saari: Crystal.Saari@acroto.com
*Purchase a Seeds for Aili tote for $10 (design by Ailis mom, Kellysee design above): online or contact Kristine (Engman) Hochbaum: keengman@gmail.com
*Dinner Information: MenuPulled pork sandwiches & all the fixins, dessert included! Help us plan ahead by pre-purchasing dinner tickets online or from any of
the people listed above. You will still be able to buy dinner tickets at the door. To-go dinner option available as well, online or at the door!
*Questions?: Contact any of the people listed above for more information. Plus, check out the benefit website for updates!