# Who Likes Mini-Golf? (fundraiser for my cousin's surgery) **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [September 7, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-mini-golf-fundraiser-for-my-cousins-surgery/509170 "2009-09-07T16:18:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Arglefraster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3bc359/32.png) [@Arglefraster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arglefraster)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2009, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-mini-golf-fundraiser-for-my-cousins-surgery/509170/1 "2009-09-07T16:18:41Z")
I got the go-ahead from the mods to post this, so here goes. My cousin Mason was born 11 weeks early. While in the hospital, he developed [necrotizing entercolitis](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Necrotizing_enterocolitis), and they had to remove around 90% of his small intestine. Right now he’s on [TPN](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Total_parenteral_nutrition) (total parenteral nutrition), where all of the nutrients he needs are delivered via a central line. Long-term use of TPN can cause liver damage, and the central line itself comes with a pretty high risk of infection (he’s had several infections so far that have sent him back to the hospital). He needs a small bowel transplant to have any hope of living a normal life. The estimated out-of-pocket cost for the transplant is $60,000. His parents have set up a website with COTA (Children’s Organ Transplant Association). It’s got some more information about his history, and a link to donate money through the website. You can check it out here: [http://cotaformasont.com/](http://cotaformasont.com/) Also, the family is having a mini-golf tournament as a fundraiser. It’s in Reisterstown, MD (a bit north-west of Baltimore), at Mitchell’s Golf Complex, on October 17th. Entry fee is $20/person. Any Baltimore-area dopers who might be interested in participating can email me at [chattonne@gmail.com](mailto:chattonne@gmail.com), and I’ll forward you the flyer with all the details. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-mini-golf-fundraiser-for-my-cousins-surgery/509170/2 "2009-09-09T20:56:14Z")
Much as I adore mini-golf, I’m a little far away. 🙂 But I did visit the site and donate. WHAT A CUTIE!! Best wishes to all of you. ---
**Author:** ![Moirai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/96bed5/32.png) [@Moirai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moirai)\ **Post date:** [September 9, 2009, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-mini-golf-fundraiser-for-my-cousins-surgery/509170/3 "2009-09-09T21:31:32Z")
Thoughts and prayers heading his way, and perhaps a donation as well. I know the deal- my nephew was born with a very rare liver disorder that almost no neonates survive, and he had a liver transplant at 4 months old. He had feeding tubes, central lines and all manner of tubes and wires sticking out every which way… it’s tough. Poor kid spent the first six months of his life in a NICU bed. But I have a healthy, happy, crazy almost-two-year-old nephew thanks to a great teams of docs, and let’s hope for the same for young Mason! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Arglefraster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3bc359/32.png) [@Arglefraster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arglefraster)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-likes-mini-golf-fundraiser-for-my-cousins-surgery/509170/4 "2009-09-11T15:20:16Z")
Thanks so much guys, both for the donations and the words of support! 🙂