"The Smiths are one of four families with children who attend Loyola Catholic School in Mankato who came together Sunday for Chillin’ for a Cure; raising awareness, support and research for rare diseases with a bake sale, vendors, a chili cook-off and bingo. Each family chose an organization to highlight diseases they had experienced personally.

Despite the subzero temperatures Sunday, over 300 people showed up to show solidarity and support. Odegard said several people approached him to share their own personal stories of coping with rare diseases."

- By Dan Greenwood, The Free Press serving South-Central Minnesota. Photo by Dan Greenwood.

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