Zaida Rose Smith is a vibrant 15 year old teen who goes to Eden High School. Her family says she’s a spirited and outspoken girl with a heart of gold. Sadly, while she should be enjoying the new school year and hanging out with friends, she recently found out she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma in June.
“Zaida was compassionate enough to help a family friend who was diagnosed recently with stage 4 breast cancer with all the gusto that she uses to fight her cancer,” Cindy Gawera, Zaida’s grandma, said after being asked what kind of person Zaida is.
A benefit will be held for Zaida to help with the extra expenses due to travel and treatments and her mom, Brianne Willet, not being able to work as much to care for her. The event will take place 1 to 5 p.m. Oct. 21 at the Eden VFW #8265, located at 2251 March Road, Eden. A $20 donation includes lunch, pop and beer. Kids 13 and under are free. There will be a Chinese auction, pool tournament, chair massages and much more.
Gawera says the amount of kindness her family as seen as a result of Zaida’s diagnosis has been overwhelming. The assistance to begin this benefit was given by a woman whose son was told in May that he had three to six months to live after a five-year battle with brain cancer.
“Through all this all our family, friends, and total strangers have seen that prayers and human kindness is truly powerful,” she said.
If you would like to help with the benefit or purchase a ticket to the benefit, call Cindy Gawera at 716-335-1816 or Lauren Lorenzi at 716-604-8682. You may also may make a donation to Zaida here: www.gofundme.com/15-yr-old-cancer-fund-zaida-rose
