Pantagraph.com Weather forecast, local radar and more
NewsFriday, September 28, 2007 10:34 PM CDT
Comments Comments (18) | E-mail this page E-mail this page | Print this page Print this page | Enlarge type Enlarge type | Reduce type Reduce type | Search archives Search archives | RSS RSS feeds | Add to My Yahoo! Add to My Yahoo!
Teen leads fundraising effort to help friend who had stroke
By Phyllis Coulter
pcoulter@pantagraph.com
Advertisement

NORMAL -- On Aug. 14, two 14-year-old girls registered as freshmen at Normal Community High School. They'd met a year earlier, becoming best friends as well as neighbors.

Now, one of them remains hospitalized from a devastating stroke and the other is leading a fundraising drive to help pay for more than a half-million dollars in medical bills.

"The whole community has rallied around us," said Sharon "Nana" Perez, grandmother of Marixanna "Xanna" Garcia. "People we don't even know."

Xanna and her best friend, Lauren DeVolder, want to return to the lives they knew before everything changed in August. They're ready to share their headstrong attitude with the community and seek its help during a fundraiser planned for Oct. 14.

Only a year ago, Xanna moved to the Eagle Landing subdivision from Burbank, Calif., with her grandma, mom, aunt, and little brother. Xanna and Lauren, who lives across the street, both went to Chiddix Junior High.

But after registering for high school, Xanna had returned home when her grandmother heard her call from the bathroom, "Nana, I need you." Within minutes, Perez called 911 and then later called Lauren.

"At first, I thought it was Xanna trying to be funny," Lauren said.

Lauren's mom, Therese DeVolder, was equally stunned. "Fourteen-year-olds don't have strokes," she said.

Xanna's stroke was caused by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a blood vessel abnormality in her brain. At OSF St. Joseph Medical Center Center, neurosurgeon Ann Stroink removed a blood clot the size of a lime.

"When she (Xanna) came into emergency, she was one hair's breadth away from death," Stroink said. The clot was near the brain stem, the Grand Central Station of the brain. "I thought, Oh my gosh, she's not going to make it," the doctor said.

The family was called in to say goodbye, Sharon Perez said. Xanna's little brother, Jimmy, 10, didn't believe his sister was going to die.

"Sissy's not going to die," he said. "She'll be all right."

Xanna was transferred to OSF St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, where she had a second brain surgery and has remained for six weeks. Her father, Jimmy Garcia of California, stays with her.

Some of the more than $500,000 in medical costs are covered by insurance; some are not. Lauren doesn't want to see Xanna's family lose their home.

"I want my best friend next door," she said.

So far, Lauren's fundraising efforts include collecting soda can tabs, selling wristbands, and helping organize a benefit. Perez is very grateful. "Every little bit helps," she said.

Normal High Community High School Principal Jeanette Nuckolls is also pleased. She called Lauren a "very sophisticated young lady," and said the school has a history of helping its students.

"Normal Community students are very supportive," Nuckolls said. "Teenagers are more sensitive than people give them credit."

Lauren continues to visit her friend despite a 45-minute commute to Peoria, and usually brings pictures and posters to decorate her room.

Xanna was in an induced coma for about four weeks. When she awoke, she slowly started to speak again.

"It was awesome. I went a month without hearing her voice," said Lauren.

Her fundraising efforts so far have been successful. She's already collected 3,000 soda tabs and hopes to sell them for 10 cents each. She's also selling XannaBands, which are orange and green rubber bracelets similar to the yellow LiveStrong bracelets used by cyclist Lance Armstrong to raise money for cancer research.

Xanna's aunt, Debbie Perez, paid for the wristbands. About 900 of the 1,000 ordered have been "sold," usually for a donation of $5.

The Oct. 14 benefit event will be from 2 to 5 p.m. at The Chateau in Bloomington. It will include food, music and a silent auction for a minimum donation of $5. The Chateau is donating its facilities for the event; friends at Rosati's Pizza in Bloomington will do the catering. A deejay is lined up; Caterpillar Corp. and Spherion Corp. are pitching in; and a trust fund has been set up at National City Bank.

The benefit, as well as raising money, will raise awareness that even young people can have strokes, requiring extensive physical therapy and rehabilitation afterward, said Stroink.

But the highlight is that Xanna will be there (with a day pass from the Peoria hospital). "It will be so fun that I get to hang out with her," Lauren said.

"She (Xanna) will be there no matter what," her grandmother said. "She's already worrying about what to wear."



Xanna's story



Family and friends have used a Web site to provide an online journal of Xanna's progress. Here's a peek:

Aug. 19 -- It seems the status changes often (one step forward two steps back). She is on a ventilator and they are trying to get her to breathe on her own.

-- Therese (DeVolder, mom of Lauren, Xanna's good friend.)

Sept. 5 -- She is able to give big smiles and is following you around with her eyes.

-- Auntie Debbie (Perez)

Sept. 8 -- We visited Xanna in her new room. She is still in Peoria, but in the rehabilitation unit. She has physical therapy from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. Of course time out for breaks.

-- Nana Sharon (Grandma Sharon Perez)

Sept. 13 -- Remember, she does understand. She can put her hands together and pray. Her Dad takes her to church every Sunday. I appreciate that.

-- Nana Sharon

Sept. 14 -- Xanna spoke her first words yesterday. "Mom" and "Dad." Now why wasn't the word Auntie?

-- Auntie Debbie

Sept. 18 -- Tonight she had her first dinner ... When she was eating she kept saying "Yum."

-- Auntie Debbie

Sept. 24 -- Today we found out that Marixanna will have a day pass from the hospital so she can come to her benefit (from 2 to 5 p.m. Oct. 14 at The Chateau of Bloomington) ... We love you all and thank you for your prayers.

-- Auntie Debbie



GO!



What: Benefit for Marixanna "Xanna" Garcia, includes a deejay, silent auction and drawing

When: 2 to 5 p.m., Oct. 14

Where: The Chateau of Bloomington, 1601 Jumer Drive

Cost: $5 donation suggested at entrance

How to help



Make checks payable to Marixanna Garcia Benefit Fund, National City Bank c/o Patrick Finnegan, 1501 E. College Ave., Normal, IL 61761; receive a "Xanna band" for any size donation; contribute to a soda-tab collection at Normal Community High School, 3900 E. Raab Road, Normal; call (309) 728-5000.

On the Net: Visit www.caringbridge.org; sign onto page at xannagarcia. Read her journal, add comments, and see photographs as she recovers.

Take a look
Xanna Garcia remains hospitalized from a devastating stroke. Her friend, Lauren DeVolder, is leading a fundraising drive to help pay for more than a half-million dollars in medical bills. (Pantagraph, Carlos T. Miranda)
Lauren DeVolder's fundraising efforts include collecting pop can tabs and wristbands bearing her best friends' name. (Pantagraph, Carlos T. Miranda)
Lauren DeVolder, 14, picks up her friendship necklace among her fundraising efforts Wednesday at her home in Normal. (Pantagraph, Carlos T. Miranda)
Video
Most commented stories
Browse online archives
Recent issues:
Reader comments on this story - 18 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Brittany Carroll wrote on Oct 3, 2007 6:58 PM:

" Im friends with both Lauren and Xanna and i think its great that lauren is doing this i am buying a braclet at school for sure im so happy xanna pulled threw i knew she would "

Gary and Flix FX, Inc. wrote on Oct 1, 2007 7:28 PM:

" Hang in there sweetheart, we are all thinking about you. Our prayers are with you. "

Lanette wrote on Oct 1, 2007 6:12 PM:

" Lauren, you are the finest example of what the word "friend" means! I thank God that Xanna is best friends with you. "

Alex wrote on Oct 1, 2007 6:02 PM:

" I was a good friend of Xanna's im one year yonger than her. Lauren thank you so much your such a great friend. Im going to try to sell the brase lets that im going to get from a teacher. If you need help just call. "

katie wrote on Sep 29, 2007 8:35 PM:

" lauren ur amazing. "

Debbie/Xanna's Aunt wrote on Sep 29, 2007 11:30 AM:

" Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Pop Tops and Silent Auction Donations can be brought to 3321 Topaz Rd. Normal, IL 61761 Or you can bring your donations to The Chateau on October 14, from 2-5 PM You can also call us at 309-846-2688 if you need anything from us. Thank you all......Love Auntie Debbie "

? wrote on Sep 28, 2007 9:59 PM:

" I know their collecting the pop tabs at NCHS "

? wrote on Sep 28, 2007 8:28 PM:

" Where can I bring pop tabs to donate? "

Patrick wrote on Sep 28, 2007 6:42 PM:

" Just a reminder, if you are unable to attend the benefit at The Chateau, please send a donation to National City Bank at "Mariaxanna Garcia Benefit Fund" c/o Patrick Finnegan 1501 East College Ave Normal, IL 61761. We're all praying for you! "

a reminder wrote on Sep 28, 2007 4:39 PM:

" Apart from the very personal stories here, we are reminded that a stroke can happen to anyone, at any time. How fortunate this young teen was within earshot of another family member. We all need to be aware of the symptoms of stroke and the importance of getting the victim to the ER as quickly as possible. "

katie wrote on Sep 28, 2007 4:25 PM:

" Lauren, you're a great friend. My best wishes for Xanna's recovery. "

Trisha wrote on Sep 28, 2007 4:22 PM:

" This is an amazing story! I hope a lot on b/n residents go to the Chateau for the benefit and show their support. Lauren truly sounds like a caring and motivated young lady! Thank you to all of the local companies who donated to this bebefit and, Lauren, keep up the good work. Knowing she has a friend like you has got to be helping speed Xanna's recovery! "

NCHS Teacher wrote on Sep 28, 2007 3:25 PM:

" It's really great to see the outpouring from the students who want to help. We wish for a quick recovery for Xanna. "

Prayers and Thoughts wrote on Sep 28, 2007 3:12 PM:

" My prayers go out to the family. You can count on me! "

amazing wrote on Sep 28, 2007 3:09 PM:

" Wow, how unfortunate for this young girl. I hope she has a quick and full recovery. Lauren, you are a true gem, Xanna is very lucky to have you as a friend. "

happy story wrote on Sep 28, 2007 3:08 PM:

" thanks "

You're awsome, wrote on Sep 28, 2007 3:06 PM:

" Lauren! I feel blessed just reading about the efforts you have shown and done for your friend. May you be richly blessed for it. "

alisha wrote on Sep 28, 2007 2:59 PM:

" this is emotional "
Add your own comments

Please read the rules before posting comments.

You must be logged in to leave comments.
If you don't have a member ID, please register.

*Member ID:
*Password:
Remember login?
(requires cookies)
  Forgot Your Password?
 
Lee Enterprises Customer Service | 301 W. Washington St., PO Box 2907, Bloomington, IL 61701-2907 | Ph. 309-829-9000 | 800-747-7323
Copyright © 2008, Pantagraph Publishing Co. and Lee Enterprises. All rights reserved. | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy