Community responds to Vaughan family in need

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 19, 2015
By Adam Martin-Robbins

The community is rallying around a local family fighting for what they’re confident will prove to be life-changing surgery for their young son.

Three weeks ago, the Vaughan Citizen published a story about the Ciampa family’s efforts to raise $150,000, while fighting for OHIP coverage, so seven-year-old Alesandro, who has a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegia, can undergo a surgical procedure in the United States that could allow him to walk unaided and, ultimately, live more independently.

He currently uses a walker to get around and needs help with everything from putting on his shoes and brushing his teeth to taking a bath.

Since the article was published, there’s been an outpouring of support, said Shana Ciampa, Alesandro’s mother.

“I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off our shoulders,” she said. “My husband and I were feeling so overwhelmed, ... just feeling really trapped in how we would do this and now there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, so to speak.”

A fundraising garage sale, held Aug. 8 garnered about $4,600 and a group of community members have formed a committee to organize a fundraising gala to be held in late October, Ciampa said.

And a local restaurant chain, Via Panini, has approached the family about doing another fundraiser, she said.

The Ciampa’s online fundraising campaign, www.gofundme.com/WalkWithAlesandro, has also seen a slight uptick in donations.

The next fundraiser, a community barbecue at Doctors McLean District Park (8100 Islington Ave.), takes place Saturday, Aug. 29.

The event, which starts at 11 a.m., will include food, entertainment, raffles and an auction.

Ciampa said between the money raised so far and what will likely come from the other community fundraisers being planned, she has “no doubt” they will get very close to their target.

Meanwhile, the Ciampas continue to put pressure on provincial officials in hopes of getting OHIP to pay for the surgery, which, his mother says, it has done in the past.

To find out more about the fundraising initiatives, visit www.alesandroswishtowalk.com