Pro wrestling comes to Omaha on Saturday (July 13) in the form of a unique fundraiser to benefit pediatric HIV/AIDS patients.
The wrestlers are associated with World League Wrestling (WLW), an organization headed by Harley Race, a legendary pro wrestling figure who is an eight-time world heavyweight champion for the National Wrestling Alliance.
The event will take place at 8 p.m. at the Sokol Auditorium, 2234 S. 13th St. Doors will open at 7 p.m.
Proceeds from the event will go toward clinical care services for children who are HIV-infected or have been exposed to HIV.
“We currently are following about 12 children with HIV disease,” said Jose Romero, M.D., interim director of the UNMC/Creighton University Combined Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. “In addition, there are between 20 to 30 other children we are following who have been exposed to HIV.”
Dr. Romero said money raised at the event will be used to:
- Purchase airline tickets for patients going back to the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, Md. for treatment;
- Provide medications to patients;
- Cover the cost of special tests not covered by insurance or Medicaid;
- Buy Christmas presents for the patients.
Dr. Romero is an associate professor in two UNMC departments, pediatrics and pathology and microbiology, and is chief Latino recruitment officer at UNMC. In addition, he serves as a medical reporter for KETV (Ch. 7).
The wrestling will feature three world title matches. The headline event pits “Wild” Wade Chism, the WLW world heavyweight champion, against Japanese standout, Takao Omori. In addition, the WLW world tag team title and the WLW world ladies title will be decided.
Tickets are $15 for ring-side seating and $10 for general admission. They are available at the Garden Café, 12th and Harney in downtown Omaha and 143rd and U streets in Millard, Kohll’s Pharmacy & Homecare-Cris, 50th and Dodge streets, and at Sokol Auditorium the night of the event.
For more information, contact Dan Aguilera in Omaha at (402) 422-1574 or the WLW in Eldon, Mo. at (573) 392-4100. The WLW Web site is located at www.harleyrace.com.