Musicians, politicians support Alesandro’s Wish to Walk in Vaughan park
'The support has been amazing'
YorkRegion.com
Aug. 29, 2015
By Adam Martin-Robbins
Dozens of Vaughan residents descended on Doctors McLean District Park in Woodbridge today to groove to live music, feast on food and compete for raffle prizes - all in support of a young boy’s quest to walk without help.
The community barbecue - Alesandro's Wish to Walk fundraiser - was held to help the Ciampa family reach their goal of raising $150,000 to cover the cost of what they believe will be a life-altering surgery for their seven-year-old son Alesandro, who has a form of cerebral palsy known as spastic diplegia and needs a walker to get around.
More than 150 people, including Vaughan Regional Councillors Gino Rosati and Mario Ferri, came by throughout the day to show their support for the sweet-natured youngster.
“This is all about helping a child in need,” Rosati said. “I think it’s a very humane thing to do and hopefully, with this fundraising effort, Alesandro will be able to have a much-needed operation that will most likely allow him to walk. To me, it’s a very, very important issue and a very good cause.”
The Ciampas are hoping that if Alesandro undergoes a surgical procedure, known as selective dorsal rhizotomy (SDR), offered by Dr. T.S. Park at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, he’ll be able to walk unaided and, ultimately, live more independently.
But they’ve been forced to raise a large sum of money needed to pay for the surgery and the necessary physiotherapy that follows, because they can’t get OHIP coverage.
While the surgery is listed among procedures eligible for coverage under the province’s publicly funded health insurance plan, to qualify, the Ciampas need a recognized neurosurgeon from Ontario to assess Alessandro and recommend the surgery as beneficial for him.
The trouble is that the Ciampas haven’t been able to find an Ontario physician deemed “clinically competent” who will agree to do an assessment and provide a recommendation.
The reasons given by the surgeons the Ciampas consulted have varied depending on the hospital they’re affiliated with.
So while the Ciampas continue to fight for OHIP coverage, they’re forging ahead, with a lot of support from the community, with fundraising efforts.
“We just wish him all the best and that everything goes well,” said Frank Figliomeni, who attended the event with his family including his son, Luca, an aspiring opera singer, who was there to perform.
“We’re positive that miracles do happen.”
To date, the Ciampas have raised nearly $45,000 and they were hoping Saturday’s event would raise close to $10,000.
“Honestly, more than anything else, (the Vaughan Citizen) article propelled everyone in the community to reach out to us,” said Shana Ciampa, Alesandro’s mother, as Top-40 cover band Twisted Tango, got people dancing.
“I think it must have touched their heartstrings, because the support has been amazing.”
Thanks to the community rallying together, several more fundraisers are slated to take place in the coming months.
There will be a charity poker game at Meridian Banquet Hall, 2301 Keele St., Friday, Oct. 9. Tickets cost $100 for dinner and the tournament.
There’s going to be a black-tie event, dubbed Gala of Hope, Friday, Oct. 23 at Riviera Parque Dining, Banquet and Convention Centre, 2800 Hwy. 7. Tickets for that event also cost $100.
Plans are also in the works for a comedy night Nov. 20 at Le Jardin Conference & Event Venue, 8440 Hwy. 27, featuring some “very talented performers.”
If you can't make it out to any of the upcoming charity events, you can support the Ciampas through their online fundraising campaign at www.gofundme.com/WalkWithAlesandro.
To find out more about Alesandro and the fundraising initiatives, visit http://www.AlesandrosWishToWalk.com/ or www.facebook.com/WalkWithAlesandro
