Cal’s Cabaret brings in 17K for research
Williamstown Theater Festival to host ‘Cal’s Cabaret’ to raise money for Pitt-Hopkins research
WILLIAMSTOWN — Ira and Fran Lapidus of Williamstown had never heard of Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome until roughly a year ago when their grandson, Calvin, was diagnosed with it.
An extremely rare genetic disorder which affects a specific gene, it was discovered in 2007 to affect the development of a child’s nervous system and brain.
Children with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome [PTHS] typically have a happy, excitable demeanor, but are also prone to recurrent seizures, breathing difficulty, gastrointestinal issues and slowed motor and speech skills.
Although Calvin lives with his parents, Eric and Audrey, in Los Angeles — more than 3,000 miles away from his grandparents in Williamstown, it wasn’t about to stop Ira, Fran, and their friends from doing everything they could here to raise money and awareness for this potentially life-threatening syndrome.
On Sunday, July 7, with the help of their friend, actress Kate Burton (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “127 Hours”), the Williamstown Theater Festival will host a “Cal’s Cabaret” to benefit Pitt-Hopkins research. Ira Lapidus, a Williamstown dentist, is a WTF trustee.
Following Calvin’s diagnosis, Eric and Audrey worked tireless to help build up the Pitt Hopkins Research Foundation, which currently is helping to fund two projects at Harvard University and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Using stem cells and mice, the two universities are getting closer to a potential treatment of the syndrome and drug trials.
“It’s not about the money, we’re absolutely grateful for it, but it doesn’t go to us. What people are really giving us is the one thing we can’t get enough of, hope,” Eric said. “There is a cure out there. It’s going to happen.”
Since his diagnosis, Calvin, or “Cal” as he’s often called, spends nearly 35 hours a week in various forms of physical and speech therapy.
“He’s an incredibly happy boy that just can’t walk or talk,” Calvin’s father, Eric, said. “He can feed himself now, he can stay sitting up if he’s helped. We celebrate everything and try not to think too far ahead. There’s a reality that he’ll be a 22-year-old in diapers and that I’ll have to shave him and change him.”
Using a spoon for example, may take most children a few tries, whereas for Calvin it takes a few thousand attempts.
“The day-to-day can be very lonely,” Calvin’s mother, Audrey, said. “Events like this, however, can lift us up for months. It keeps me going. … I still hang on to the belief that there will be a cure. Other than that, I just hope he remains happy and loved with a community that supports him.”
Nothing makes Calvin, 2, happier than watching his sister Sadie, 6, sing, dance or act, which makes him the perfect audience member, their mother said.
“They’re the perfect sibling for each other,” she said. “When Calvin’s smiling, everyone’s smiling.”
Tickets for the cabaret range from $50 for the top balcony to $100 for orchestra level. Refreshments will be served and a silent auction will also be held.
For more information, visit www.wtfesti val.org or call (413) 597-3400.
