Local families fighting cancer receive money for treatment expenses

Six local families fighting cancer are getting a helping hand – $2,000 each for treatment related expenses. The funds are coming from the Dancing for a Dream – Bailando por un Sueno – event.

Sergio Avendano, whose family is benefitting from the event, said, “Means a lot to me, because my family has been struggling financially and is a great help. Because my family travels a lot to San Diego for the treatment.”

Avendano’s little sister, Yasly, is one of the six patients benefitting from the fifth annual competition.

“They have the effort to do this and I’m grateful that they do this for the kids with cancer,” Avendano said.

Carlos Ramirez, one of the local dancing stars, is happy to help.

“It was a great opportunity to help a kid in our community. I had seen the event the prior year. I was pretty inspired,” Ramirez said.

His wife, Crystal, said, “You’re participating for a good cause. This money is going to help these families.

On top of that, the Drifters Car Club donated an extra $1,500 to the cause.

Drifter President Joe Buzo said, “We were very, very fortunate that this year we were able to collect the monies that we did. I wish it was more.”

Crystal said getting ready to dance for the event was a challenge, but it was for a good cause.

“We’re going to do it again next year,” Crystal said.