Public support has been pouring in steadily for Stephon Garcia, 16, who lost his left leg last January because of cancer. After the T&T Guardian published a story on Tuesday about his courage in the face of his diagnosis and surgery and his mother’s hope to get him a prosthetic leg, citizens have been calling in to make donations. Stephon relies on crutches to get around and while it does not stop him from going to school or liming with friends, it slows him down.
In an attempt to increase his mobility his parents, Stephanie and Anthony, the Piarco Rotary Club and the Holy Cross College’s Interact Club have made a commitment to raise funds and donate all to his $200,000 prosthesis. Trevor Ifill, president of the rotary club, said he received about 15 calls since the story was published and was touched by people’s kindness and generosity. “Up to this morning (Wednesday) people were calling. The feedback is positive. They were giving from their hearts,” he said.
Ifill said one caller even offered to put together another fund-raiser to help Stephon, calling it a “spin-off fund-raiser.” He added that most of the callers had a story about how cancer had affected their lives in some way, especially because they had lost a relative or friend.
“They all had a story to share. It was really touching,” he added. While the bank account was still being finalised, callers committed to making monetary donations while one person promised her miles should Stephon need foreign medical attention.
While the Piarco Rotary Club is taking donations, the Interact Club is planning a fashion show on Sunday on the Holy Cross College compound, Arima. Co-ordinating teacher for the club, Natasha Rahim, said ticket sales were going well, as about 200 were sold up to yesterday afternoon. The club’s target is to sell 350 tickets. Rahim said business-owner and long-standing patron of the T&T Cancer Society, Hannah Janoura, called Holy Cross on Tuesday after reading the story about Stephon and committed to making a donation.
Dave Maharaj, who oversees the Interact Club, said he collected a $1,000 cheque from Janoura yesterday. “We’re feeling positive,” he said. Ifill promised that the Rotary Club would do its part to ensure Stephon could walk again. “He’s too young. He is too nice a person and we have to help,” he added. If you would like to attend the school’s fashion show on Sunday call the Holy Cross at 667-3638 to buy a $75 ticket. If you would like to make a contribution, via the Piarco Rotary Club, Ifill can be reached at 468-2927.