There will be a benefit fundraiser for 9-year-old McKenzie Fasola, who is battling a rare cancer, on Sunday, Nov. 15.
The event is called Bears for Hope – a Teddy Bear Tea, where there will be a silent auction and raffle, raising money to help offset Fasola’s medical expenses. The event will be held at the American Legion Hall at 424 Clayton Drive in Norco.
LSU and Saints autographed memorabilia, as well as paintings and sketches by local artists, and brand name bags will be among the items raffled off. Advance tickets are $20 per adult and $12 per child; at the door, $25 per adult and $15 per child. Every paid attendee receives an orange Kenzie’s Krewe Leukemia awareness bracelet.
There will be princesses and Santa and Mrs. Claus at the event for photo opportunities. There will also be face painting. Children are encouraged to bring their favorite teddy bear or stuffed animal.
This weekend’s Father’s House Fall Festival, which takes place Saturday and Sunday, has also reserved a booth for the family and the fundraising effort. There will be games and prizes at the booth, as well as crafts and snacks for sale.
Fasola began having knee pain several weeks ago and her parents took her to the doctor’s office to check into it.
“At first, they thought it was growing pains,” Parria said. “But the pain got worse.”
Cancer wasn’t detected until a later medical visit led to a blood test – upon receiving the results, the doctor called Fasola’s parents and told them to bring her to the emergency room right away.
More blood work revealed a large, unexpected – and unimaginable – problem.
ALL (acute lymphoblastic leukemia) is a fast-growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow. It causes the body to make too many immature white blood cells called lymphoblasts. It is the most common cancer diagnosed in children, but it also affects adults.
Through it all, Fasola has not allowed the situation to dull her spirit, said her grandmother Stephanie Parria.
“She’s a remarkable child,” said Parria. “She had never lost her smile.”
Parria said the family has been overcome by the outpouring of support from so many people.
Some of Fasola’s greatest supporters are those closest to her.
Her brother Brody shaved his head in support of his sister as she goes through chemotherapy. He’s been chosen as a SuperSib by the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer. SuperSibs is a specialized national program dedicated to comforting, encouraging, and empowering siblings of children diagnosed with childhood cancer.
Fasola’s child life representatives at her oncology clinic referred Brody to the program for being so supportive of his sister and showing how brave he is for her, said the siblings’ mother Courtney.
“He loves to show how much he cares by taking safety precautions around the house like disinfecting, no shoes inside,” said Courtney. “Brody even shaved his head in honor of his sister to show support and raised awareness about childhood cancer at his school. He even likes to help pick up after her so she is never doing anything alone.”
Courtney said Brody is certainly a super sibling in his family’s eyes.
“We are doing everything we can to make sure he is rewarded for his braveness and how well he is handling everything going on with his sister,” Courtney said.
Fasola’s school has also been there for her. St. Rose Elementary recently held a “Wear Yellow and Jeans” day where students and staff could pay $1 (or a small donation) and wear yellow and jeans.
Those interested in buying a raffle ticket or other information may contact Stephanie Parria at Hunter61579@yahoo.com or (985) 258-7553.
