Water polo club raises money for boy battling leukemia
Members of the Scorpions Water Polo Club at the Aquatic Center in Palm Desert were practicing on Wednesday night, but in this game, the goal wasn’t focused on the fundamentals.
The goal was to raise money for 4-year-old Isaiah Lopez and his his family.
Lopez has been battling leukemia for half of his life and his family falling on hard times. They are $15,000 behind on their mortgage.
Water polo players and their families came up with a way to help.
“They are in a very tough situation and I really like that I am with a team that helps them out,” said Amelia Armstrong, who has been playing with the Scopions for more than three years.
“We have got to help them out. We are in this all together and we all felt bad so we wanted to help out with that family,” said Kyle Cinicola, a water polo player.
Raffle prizes at the event included items and gift cards that together valued in the thousands. Organizers say local businesses were more than happy to donate to the cause.
“When it comes to children and grandchildren, it is just very heartbreaking, so we just wanted to help with whatever we could do,” said Margo Stein, a coach with the Scorpions.
The Lopez family is also receiving help from the Desi Strong Foundation which was set up in memory of Desi Cechin, a child who died of cancer. The foundation matched dollar-for-dollar everything that was raised at the event.
“I am very thankful and grateful that we are getting a response from the community and from this team coming together to support us with our situation. It has not been easy for us and my family,” said Maria Lopez, Isaiah’s mother.
With the added help from Desi Strong Foundation, the event raised about $6,000, well short what the Lopez family needs. You can make a donation to the family online.
