The Kathleen Davey Silent Auction is being held May 28 at Santa Clara University in an attempt to save one woman's life by funding alternative medical treatments. The event is being organized by Danielle Reed, a close friend of the Davey family, who has known Kathleen for 22 years.

Kathleen is the 37-year-old mother of two who has been in a coma since Jan. 24. She is also the wife of Saratoga High School basketball coach Mike Davey and the daughter-in-law of Santa Clara University men's basketball coach Dick Davey. Kathleen went into cardiac arrest while exercising at her home, and her 6-year-old daughter, Samie, called 911. Police arrived at the house within minutes of the call, administered CPR and rushed Kathleen to Valley Medical Center. Two weeks later, while still in a medically induced coma, she was moved to Kaiser Hospital in Santa Clara.

Her doctors are not optimistic, even though Kathleen has shown positive signs of recovery and is no longer in the medically induced coma. Kathleen has touched the lives of many people in the South Bay, not just her family. The SHS basketball team refers to her as their "basketball mom."

"She's like a sister to me," Reed said. "I already have three sisters, but I grew up with her."

Reed said the intent of the auction is to raise funds for costly alternative medical treatments. Kathleen is covered by a health maintenance organization, and the Davey family has faced a constant struggle with the hospital to do the tests and procedures that could benefit her. Her family and friends have conducted extensive research on alternative medicines and explored experimental procedures. Funding rehabilitation while waiting for clinical trials is another important aspect of her treatment, Reed said. The sooner these procedures are administered, the better chance they have of making a positive change for Kathleen.

The community has demonstrated a great outpouring of love for Kathleen and her family, Reed said, and more than 400 people have been invited to the silent auction.

Donated items, arriving daily, include a 2004 BMW 325i sedan (minimum bid required), a week at a condo in Incline Village, an autographed Lakers basketball, American Airline upgrade certificates, an I-Pod, and an autographed, game-worn Jerry Rice jersey, to name a few.

The silent auction will be held on May 28 at 6 p.m. in Santa Clara University's Adobe Lodge. Cash donations marked for the "Silent Auction/Davey Fund" may be made to Saratoga High School, 20300 Herriman Ave., Saratoga. For more information on Kathleen's progress visit www.saratogahigh.org/shs/departments/staffpages/kabe/kathleenupdate.htm. To attend the auction, email Danielle Reed at danielleareed@yahoo.com. Tickets are $30 per person, adults only.