Westchase Family Organizes Annual Tailgate Benefit

Logan Bauder, a Westchase Elementary sixth-grader, was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis when he was less than a year old.

After dealing with the tough news, Logan's parents, Chip and Heather Bauder, immediately became involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting the development of new drugs to fight the disease, improving the quality of life for those with CF, and to finding a cure.

Since 2001, Heather and Chip have joined with a committee of supporters from all over Tampa to organize the Tampa Tailgate Gameday.

This year's event will be held Oct. 6 at Raymond James Stadium. Unlimited food and drink will be provided by: , Columbia Restaurants, Carmel Cafe, Beef O'Brady's, Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza, CDB's Italian Southside Restaurant & Bar. Watch these games on the big screen TVs while enjoying unlimited food and beverages: LSU at UF, FSU at NC State and Miami (FL) at Notre Dame.

Recently, Patch caught up with Logan's dad, Chip Bauder to get the details on Tampa Tailgate 2012 and ask how Logan has been doing since .

Patch: Logan is now 11 years old. How has he been doing since we caught up with your family last September?

Bauder: Logan was diagnosed in 2001. He has been managing the disease symptoms like a trooper, and is very diligent about his treatments and medicines he has to take. That, unfortunately, did not prevent him from succumbing to diabetes this past March.  

Now, in addition to his twice daily treatments, he has to check his glucose levels and gives himself daily insulin. Although we are so thankful for the wonderful medicine that Logan has access to, we don’t know the long term damage it is doing to his organs. And 37 is still the average lifespan for someone with CF.

Patch: How much did the event raise last year for CFF? How much do you aim to raise this year?

Bauder: Last year we raised over $91,000 at the event and have a goal of $120,000 this year.

Patch: How are the funds used toward helping this important cause?

Bauder: Since it is a relatively unknown disease, CFF does not receive federal funding, and pharmaceutical companies are not highly motivated to develop a cure. So the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation does the primary fundraising for the research to develop better medicines and  hopefully find a cure. That’s why almost ninety cents on every dollar donated goes straight  towards research.

Patch: What do you want people to know about Tampa Tailgate 2012?

Bauder: We would love for people to come experience an entirely different kind of fundraiser by coming to Tampa Tailgate for CF. For a fun night out, you would not be disappointed as there are so many good restaurants and beverages to choose from.   It’s such a fun crowd,  wear your favorite college sports team attire, enjoy different college football games in the stadium club section and even enjoy a live band...all this fun while supporting a great cause.

Last year Patch readers heard right from Logan about the event, so this year we asked him to write a quick message to our readers and he was happy to do so.

A message from 11-year old Logan:

Hi, I’m Logan. I have always had CF and I have never had a day when I did not have to do treatments or take medicine. This past April I was diagnosed with Cf related diabetes and now have to check my glucose and give myself insulin, even more medicine.  I know there is a new drug they are working on called Kalydeco that would change that. If researchers had the money to make this drug work, I wouldn’t have to do treatments anymore, which I think is almost as good as a cure. I would almost be like everyone else, and not have to worry about getting sick. I could also stay over at friends' houses and go on camping trips with my boy scout troop. So we would really like it if you come to our event, Tampa Tailgate. It's food, football and fun. And you would be helping not just me but all of us kids who suffer from Cystic Fibrosis

When: Oct. 6, 5 to 10 p.m.

Where: 4201 N. Dale Mabry Highway Tampa, FL 33607, Parking Lot B off  Himes Avenue.

What: Football fans gather in the Club level at Raymond James
Stadium to watch multiple football games on television, enjoy samples from the best of Tampa Bay restaurants and support the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

For more information and for tickets: Visit  the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation website or contact Mary Calvert at mcalvert@cff.org