Saturday, March 15, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Harold Lee watched his mother suffer with cancer and saw first hand all the family problems associated with the tragedy.
"From my own experiences of the threats of losing our cars and home (over unpaid medical bills), I know what people in a similar position are going through," said Lee, co-founder of Dream Team USA, which helps parents of severely ill children pay medical bills through fund-raisers.
Dream Team USA was started by Harold and his wife, Marna Lee, in January 1994 in Tonasket, Wash., and now has chapters in Renton, Wash., and North Las Vegas, where the family moved last year.
Lee, who owns a housekeeping business, says he eventually will receive his Dream Team salary through grants and proceeds from a race car that is yet to be built. No car-building money will come from donations specified for use to help the families of ailing children, he said.
The Lees, parents of a high school-aged daughter, set up their nonprofit corporation in Nevada last July specifically to help children, ages 1-19, who are suffering from life-threatening diseases.
Because of a lack of funds, they have opted to serve just one client at a time. Currently, their lone client is 22-month-old Edgar Rodriguez of Las Vegas, who has leukemia.
In addition to helping pay his medical bills, Dream Team USA assists with educational needs, trips and special occasions.
"The need is especially great now because of government cutbacks and new regulations," Harold Lee said. "Families are now in more need from organizations in their cities and counties."
Lee has established as a priority the purchase of a kit to build a BMW 320i wide body race car, which will appear at rallies, shows and other events as a tool to raise funds.
Lee says he will sell sponsorships to companies which in turn will paint their logos on the race car. Private donations also will be accepted at Dream Team USA booths at various events where the vehicle will be displayed.
Lee said he will ask local businesses to donate money for miles completed by the car in road rallies and sell posters of the vehicle.
For more information, call Lee at 648-4355.
archive
