Lake Highlands High School Class of 2016 alum Brandon Landis and his family have been on a difficult journey.

In the summer of 2008, a mysterious illness attacked Brandon's body and began to wreak havoc. Less than 48 hours after attending a football camp, Brandon experienced stiffness, impaired speech, difficulty walking, and a severe loss of balance. Along with his parents, Drew and Melissa Landis, and sister Cassidy, Brandon started a long and difficult journey of medical tests, as doctors tried and failed to diagnose and treat his ailments. Now, after dozens of CT scans, MRIs, MRAs, spinal taps, experimental drugs, blood tests, genetic mapping, physical and speech therapies, and even a brain stimulator, Brandon has finally been diagnosed conclusively. He has Sydenham Chorea, a rare movement disorder that occurs after a group A streptococcus bacterial infection. This is the same bacteria that causes rheumatic fever and strep throat.

Now that he has finally been diagnosed properly, Brandon is undergoing expensive but promising treatments to halt -- and hopefully undo -- some of the damage to his brain and body. 

The Wildcat baseball team is dedicating its Tuesday, April 11 home game against Jesuit in Brandon's honor and invites the Lake Highlands community to join in rallying around Brandon and his family. The Wildcats want to help the family defray some of the costs associated with Brandon's $4,000/month treatments that are not covered by insurance.

Come to The Cat at 7:30 p.m. to watch a good game and help a great cause. Guests are encouraged to make at least a $5 donation, enjoy dinner and refreshments, and participate in a raffle for several great donated items, including a limited edition Ian Kinsler baseball bat created by Warstic. Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each or five for $20. Or donate online to the Landis family's medical fund at http://www.youcaring.com/BrandonLandis.