COUSINS FOR A CURE

The Einck family is working together to sponsor their second annual “Cousins for Causes” fundraiser on Friday, August 13th in Iona. The street dance at Van Bully’s will begin at 6pm with a pulled pork supper and live entertainment and the Eincks hope your donations will be generous. The proceeds will be split between the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Heart Heroes, Inc. and Ireland’s Hope, all causes that have touched the lives of the Eincks.

In 2017, Molly Einck, the daughter of Michael and Melissa, was born with congenital heart disease. After repeated treatments and surgeries, the sweet little girl passed away on September 17, 2019. Melissa describes tremendous support from the national organization Heart Heroes and Minnesota’s Ireland’s Hope. Melissa shared, “Heart Heroes gave us such good support during Molly’s life and even now after Molly’s death. They provided gift baskets, financial support and outreach for mental health support. Ireland’s Hope is out of the cities, and they assist with expenses during transplants.” Their Instagram account states, “Ireland’s Hope is committed to advancing organ donor awareness and strengthening families financially who have a child undergoing a heart transplant.”

Riley Einck is the son of Joey and Tara Einck. In 2013 he was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs. Riley will be a third grader at Murray County Central, and his mother reports he is doing well. Tara said, “He takes a drug that was approved in 2014 and it is supposed to correct the failed gene. He lives a pretty normal life but he has treatments/pills every day.”

The grief and journeys the families have shared has inspired them to give back, especially to the organizations that continue to provide support. Melissa said, “We want to give back to them, and it makes sense for our families to raise money for these causes. We had a lot of community support throughout Molly’s whole life and we realized how much of an impact that was. We always wanted to pay it forward. Through all of Molly’s surgeries and after her death we needed to do something and it made sense to join together and raise money for both of our causes.” Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come and support the Einck families, have a lot of fun, and donate generously to these causes.