There was a sad truth to a community fundraiser for cancer patient, Izzy Rodriguez, of St. Cloud.
The 56-year-old Army veteran and single father of three couldn't attend because he was being hospitalized for a reaction to his radiation therapy.
"He's here in heart and spirit," said Odalys Reyna, the Orlando woman who was one of the organizers for the fundraiser at the Dr. J.B. Callahan Neighborhood Community Center on Saturday.
Rodriguez, who once owned his own auto-repair shop in St. Cloud, has been diagnosed with stage four incurable lung cancer and Saturday's carnival was aimed to raise money for his medical expenses.
He has three sons, 13-year-old Brandon, 7-year-old Kyle and 6-year-old Ryan.
Michael T. Gibson, an Orlando attorney, sponsored the event, which featured a train ride for children, balloons, face painting and carnival games.
"The more I found out about him and his family, the more I wanted to do something to help out," Gibson said.
Reyna said she and her husband Vidal organized the event for Rodriguez, who had done so much for the Orlando couple when they lost their son Andr? in a car accident a few years ago.
"He's an amazing, selfless human being and he's all about giving to his community," Reyna said.
llelis@tribune.com or 386-479-1529
Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/orlandosentinelbreakingnews/~3/j_vU9x1e6bs/story01.htm
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.