 When it comes to women and their children, it makes no difference what ZIP code is tacked on to the end of their addresses. Just ask Rita Heine, Ann-Marie Nelson and Linda Garbarino. These three woman have opened their hearts and homes to another, Gabrielle Seepersad, a mother originally from Trinidad. The women met Gabrielle and her son through their Las Madres play group. Now Seepersad's 5-year-old son, Jonathan, is fighting stage 4 neuroblastoma--an adrenal gland cancer.
When the women learned of this heartbreak, they did what all moms do when a child becomes seriously ill--they circled the wagons to find a way to help one of their own. The mothers knew that medical expenses were soaring as Jonathan was admitted to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital for chemotherapy treatment. They knew the Seepersad family had to reorganize their lives and jobs. They knew that the Seepersads had no family locally, so a support network would be critical. The women also knew they had to do something.
"As mothers, our hearts broke to hear of Jonathan's cancer," Heine said. "He is such a strong, active, spirited boy. It was such a shock that he was sick."
The Seepersad's church and preschool had already organized meals and other forms of help. Still, the playgroup moms had plans of their own.
Heine called to tell us about a yard and bake sale the moms were having to raise funds for Jonathan's medical needs and other family expenses. They asked our newspaper to inform the public.
"We simply had to do something," Nelson said.
The yard sale took place on Saturday and from the start the response was quite remarkable.
Across the street, neighbor Lynda Smith said she was "overwhelmed" by the number of people who pulled up at Nelson's home on Friday night to drop off items for the fundraiser. She was amazed by the community support. Ironically, Smith said one of her co-workers has a child who is also suffering from the same illness.
After talking to Heine, I was also moved to help and wanted to go to the yard sale. I had decided that if I couldn't find anything to purchase I would donate some cash. I drove over to the home on Lupton Avenue and couldn't believe my eyes. The narrow little street in Willow Glen was packed with parked cars and vehicles trying to negotiate the skinny road. Although drivers were frequently stuck, no one honked their horns or became frustrated when they ended up being boxed in. It was as if everyone that day knew the purpose was far greater than a temporary traffic jam.
I walked up to Garbarino, who was busy collecting money, and asked her how things were going. The response was amazing, she said. The group never anticipated such a crowd. Many, she said, came and just donated money after hearing about Jonathan.
For all those who contributed, the purpose went far beyond a bag of baby clothes, toys, books or knickknacks. These women are hoping that their actions offer Jonathan's mother a different kind of Mother's Day gift. Something much more lasting than a traditional box of candy, flowers or cards. A gift of compassion, love and the hope she can share another Mother's Day with her young son.
Moryt Milo is the editor of The Willow Glen Resident. She can be contacted at 400.200.1051 or mmilo@community-newspapers.com.
|
