Hollister
– A little rock ‘n’ roll and some goodwill can go a long way as
proven by two local teens who promoted a rock concert and raised
nearly $1,500 to help a local family whose son has been battling a
rare form of cancer for the better part of a year.
”
When it was all over, I just felt really good,
”
said organizer Mayte Mendoza-Moreno, 14.
Hollister – A little rock ‘n’ roll and some goodwill can go a long way as proven by two local teens who promoted a rock concert and raised nearly $1,500 to help a local family whose son has been battling a rare form of cancer for the better part of a year.
“When it was all over, I just felt really good,” said organizer Mayte Mendoza-Moreno, 14.
Six local bands and more than 100 young fans came together for the “Saving Gabriel Fisch Benefit Concert” at the Rancho San Justo Gym to support young Gabriel. The event, which was conceived and promoted by Mayte and her friend Sarah Hutchins, was so successful it raised $400 more than the pair’s initial $1,000 goal.
Many local residents will be familiar with the story of Gabriel Fisch, an 18-month-old baby diagnosed with Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that forms in the nerve tissue. In early 2006, doctors found one tumor in Gabriel’s adrenal gland, three against his spinal cord and three in his head, none of which are operable. Stanford doctors estimated that the boy had only a 30 percent chance of survival.
Mayte and Sarah read about the Fisches’ plight in the newspaper, realized the family were Mayte’s neighbors and decided they had to help.
The two had experience fundraising as they were extensively involved with student activities at San Benito High School, but helping with the Fisch family medical bills, which the pair estimated to be around $700,000, was a new challenge. Earlier in the year Mayte and Sarah organized a car wash that raised $700 for the family, but wanted to do more. The idea of a rock ‘n’ roll benefit concert seemed natural, as both were in a band and were friends with a number of local teen musicians, who were more than willing to help.
“The bands helped make it a big success,” Mayte said. “They told everybody to come and were very helpful.”
Despite the headaches and financial obstacles of finding a venue, talent, equipment and insurance, which San Benito Bank helped cover with a $400 donation, more than 100 teen music fans turned out to support the Fisches and their favorite bands.
“We advertised on MySpace, and it worked really well,” Sarah said. “Because everybody else put it up on their MySpaces and a lot of people found out about it.”
The highlight of the evening, said the girls, was that Gabriel’s father Jason, older brother Jadian and uncle were able to attend the concert, which took place just a few days away from Jadian’s birthday.
“We baked him a cake and everybody sang happy birthday to him, because we didn’t know what kind of birthday party he’d had this year,” Mayte said. “And we got him a Target gift card, which he was really excited about.”
But the best news of all is that Gabriel is on the mend and doing better than doctors anticipated, said his family in a thank-you letter to those involved with the concert. He still has to undergo some radiation and retinoid therapy, but doctors say he should be “as good as new.”
“At times like these you realize no matter how bad things seem it’s comforting to know there’s always the good in people!” wrote the Fisches. “Every ounce of help and prayer is invaluable and appreciated more than can ever be expressed.”
Mayte and Sarah are so pleased with their work that they’re considering holding another benefit concert next year, should a worthy cause present itself.
“We know this is something we can do to help people, so we want to make it a tradition for the two of us,” Mayte said.
Sarah echoed her friend’s sentiments.
“I really can’t wait to do another one,” she said.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or [email protected].
