For two-year-old David Devers and his family, life has turned upside down since the beginning of 2015. What began as trouble playing at the park in January was soon discovered to be acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Now, he finds himself making weekly trips to Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford University as part of a three-year treatment program.
For his parents, Ever and Minerva Devers, it means staying awake in shifts to give their young son round-the-clock care while each working full time with a second child on the way.
To help the Devers family, Judy Patterson — one of Ever Devers’ coworkers at Scotts Valley’s Active Sports Club — is organizing a fitness-themed fundraiser on Saturday, April 25.
“It’s just a combination of everything that our resources allowed us to gather together,” she said.
According to Active Sports Club manager Paul Walker, Patterson has been instrumental in reaching out to local businesses to support the event — such as Hophead Public House — as well as instructors and teachers from the club itself.
“Judy is a saint when it comes to getting this all together,” he said.
The event, which is set to run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., will feature such things as a Spin-a-thon, burpee challenge, swim classes, Zumba, dance, yoga, and meditation.
All funds raised by the event will be contributed to support the Devers family.
Team G Childhood Cancer Foundation will also be on-hand to lead children’s activities.
Not only is the event designed as an athletic-themed fundraiser, Patterson said, it is also meant to celebrate David Devers’ third birthday — which falls on April 27.
For David’s birthday party, there will be music, a barbecue, and a magician, as well as children’s activities.
“We’re going to throw a birthday party for him at the fundraiser as well,” Patterson said. “We’re hopeful that the family will be able to be there as the guests of honor.”
Ever Devers, speaking through a translator, said that he was amazed by the level of support that his family has received.
“There aren’t too many people that want to extend this kind of hand,” he said, adding that the event could help his family a lot.
“(Cancer) definitely impacts your life,” he said. “Everything changes.”
A GoFundMe.com page to support the Devers family has also been started.
For more information about the David’s Day fundraiser, contact Judy Patterson at ju************@ac***************.com.
To contribute via GoFundMe, visit http://www.gofundme.com/qeegmew.
