Benefit will help sick child

A benefit dinner to help a family help a son will take place this week.

Cole Wooten, 3, was born with Epidermylosis Bullosa, a rare skin disease that spreads blisters across the body.

Insurance picks up 80 percent of the medical bills, but his family still spends close to $1,500 per month for treatment.

That is why the Fraternal Order of Eagles of Augusta is sponsoring a benefit dinner Friday at 6 p.m.

Event Coordinator Judy Ramsey said along with having food, attendees will be able to bid on several items during auctions. Those items include a DVD player, a boom box and several gift certificates to various restaurants.

"We just want to try to help this family out." Ramsey said. "They are going through a really tough time."

Cole receives treatment periodically for his condition at the Doctor's Hospital burn unit. Medical personnel have to scrape the blisters off him, much like they would for a burn victim.

Ramsey said Cole's feet, legs and arms have to be constantly wrapped in bandages and his torso is wrapped 75 percent of the time.

He has to sleep on a special bed and is confined to a wheelchair to keep the blisters from popping and possibly getting infected.

Ramsey said no one with the disease has lived past age 31, and that because Cole has the disease inside - in his intestines and esophagus - and outside his body, his life expectancy could be shorter.

There have been other events held for him. Recently, dance studios throughout the Augusta area held a benefit dinner for him.

Ramsey said when a child is involved, people tend to give a little more.

"We just want to help the family and we hope others do, too," she said. "He is a real sweetie."