High Note

By Richard Mineards   |   March 8, 2018
(from left) Matthew Fish, co-chair of breakfast and board director; Adriana Mezic, co-chair of breakfast and board director; Emilee Garfield, TBCF supporter; Caly Bevier, America’s Got Talent semi-finalist and keynote speaker; Jocelyn Gonzalez, 2018 Little Heroes honoree; Maddy Gonzalez, honoree; Lindsey Leonard, executive director of TBCF; and Becca Solodon, program director of TBCF)

Singer Caly Bevier is a winner!

Not only getting the Golden Buzzer from famously critical judge Simon Cowell on the TV show America’s Got Talent, but beating Stage 3 ovarian cancer three years ago after three months of grueling intensive chemotherapy treatment.

After recording a version of Rachel Platten‘s “Fight Song” while still sick, her father, Adam, posted a video of the recording with an accompanying photo slideshow on Facebook, which led to her performing at a fundraiser for another young cancer patient and then her appearance on the popular TV show, with Cowell giving her a rare all-clear to go through to the finals.

“Just never stop chasing your dream,” the Toledo, Ohio, native told the 255 guests at the Teddy Bear Cancer Foundation’s 4th annual Little Heroes breakfast at Fess Parker’s Doubletree. “I want to be the voice of hope and love.”

The early morning event, co-chaired by Mathew Fish and Adriana Mezic, also honored Maddy, 10, and Jocelyn Gonzalez, 13, students at the Almond Acres Children’s Academy in San Luis Obispo, and raised around $50,000 for the charity which served a record 188 families last year, a 21 percent increase, according to executive director Lindsey Leonard.

Among the supporters noshing on the muesli and bacon and eggs were Well Hughes, Emilee Garfield, Becca Soldon, Adam Black, David Edelman, Maurice Singer, Jeff Barbakow, Janet Garufis, Keith Berry, Heather Ayer, Bob and Patty Bryant, Jamie Hansen, Steve and Marnie Pinsker, Leifur Thordarson, and Stephanie Marasciullo.

(from left) Becca Solodon, TBCF program director; Maddy Gonzalez, Little Heroes honoree; and Jocelyn Gonzalez, Little Heroes honoree
 

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