What:            FUNDRAISER for 3-year old Cecilia fighting cancer, daughter of Los Angeles County Firefighter James von Harz.

                                    50% of sales go to help Cecilia.  Includes Dine-In, Take-Out and Bar sales
Leave receipts in the bucket at the register.

Location:        Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ, 395 N. Rosemead Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91107

Download the flyer here: Cecilia's flier for December.pdf

November 18, 2014, Los Angeles, CA: Los Angeles County Firefighter James von Harz reached out to Fire Family Foundation (FFF) to help his 3-year old daughter Cecilia, who is fighting cancer.  FFF responded and when Robin Salzer owner of Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ in Pasadena heard about Cecilia’s fight, he immediately contacted FFF to help Cecilia and held a fundraiser for her in June.  He is once again helping with Cecilia’s fight to help defray medication costs during the holidays.

According to Salzer:  “Children are the most priceless gift from God and as a Father it broke my heart to read about Cecilia and her struggle to live, to live a lifetime that we often take for granted. Our daughter Josefina is about the same age and my first thought was what if it was her?  You read a story like Cecilia's and sometimes there is nothing you can do and then again sometimes the ideas flow and the hope is endless. Cecilia deserves her chance to live an incredible life and I want to thank in advance each and every one of you for your prayers and support for Cecilia and the von Harz family.”

CECILIA’S STORY: Cecilia von Harz was diagnosed with stage 1 Wilms Tumor on April 5, 2013 at the age of 2, she went through surgery to remove her right kidney along with a two pound tumor. She then endured 20 weeks of chemotherapy. Through it all she maintained her beautiful smile and strong spirit but on Feb 28th 2014 after 6 months of remission the cancer came back in her lungs with a vengeance. She has gone through radiation to both lungs but is still on her medication.  On November 17, she underwent surgery to have a new G-tube inserted, allowing her a better diet, but her fight continues.  Her alternative medication, not covered under insurance is $1500/month. 

This medication allows Cecilia a normal childhood with playtime and play dates and the much-needed rest she gets through the chemo treatment.  Cecilia’s medicine aids in tumor and cancer cell death but also gives Cecilia a quality of life that is priceless. Without these medications and supplements she would be constantly nauseas and sick, not able to sleep due to the constant discomfort and losing weight and vitality, but because she has them she runs and plays, takes a 2-3 hour nap and sleeps throughout the night. She eats enough to maintain her weight and although at times she succumbs to the effects of chemotherapy and radiation and gets sick, she bounces right back wanting to join the other kids in the neighborhood.  Cecilia has an 16 month year old brother, Roman and her dog Oso.

These medications and supplements have also allowed the family to avoid blood transfusions when the medical field told them that it could not be done.  For the past 3 weeks Cecilia's hemoglobin levels have been in the 10 which are in the normal range and Doctors and nurses tell them she has the highest red blood counts of any chemo patient they have seen without the use of blood.  However, it comes at a high cost.  With funds raised at the last event at Robin’s, the Foundation paid for four months of alternative medication at $6,000.  Now FFF and Robin’s BBQ are reaching out to the public for help, to again offer the family a bit of hope.
 

Mike Mastro, Board Chair of Fire Family Foundation, explained, “Fire Family Foundation is about offering a helping hand in times of need.  Whether it be a firefighter or a fire victim, we’re here to help. Who can resist the adorable face of a 3-year old, but a 3-year old who is fighting for a future?  As a father and grandfather, this is a chance for the Foundation to provide hope.  And I particularly want to thank Robin Salzer, for his strong community commitment.

50% of all sales on December 4th from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. go to help Cecilia.  This includes food and drink for dine-in, take-out and bar sales.  Just leave your receipt in the bucket by the register.  Cecilia and her family will be there part of the time to meet all her new friends who come out to support her fight.

FIRE FAMILY FOUNDATION: is the charitable hand of Firefighters First Credit Union, answering the call for both firefighters and fire victims, offering resources and assistance to those whose lives have been devastated by fire.   Fire Family Foundation bridges the divide between disaster and new beginnings. 323-550-2208 or www.FireFamilyFoundation.org

MORE THAN A RESTAURANTEUR:  Robin Salzer celebrates 32 years of Robin’s Wood Fire BBQ named in the 2013 National Barbeque News Top 100 BBQ Restaurants in the U.S., 2013 Pasadena Weekly Best BBQ, and 2012 City Search L.A’.s Best BBQ. In May 2009, Rachel Ray featured their Blue Cheese-Pecan Cole Slaw as one of her Top four favorites in her magazine.  In 2008, Salzer started The Lemonade Brigade with John Muir HS students, with several hundred students mentored on starting, operating and sustaining a small business and the Lemonade Vendor at the Levitt Pavilion.  The Duarte Lemonade Brigade was started in 2010 with Mt. Olive HS students. The Mayor and City Council proclaimed the Duarte Lemonade Brigade as the Official Beverage vendor in Duarte. In 2010, Salzar and Walt Jackson started The Pasadena Hot Meal Program at Jackie Robinson Community Center with 50,000 Hot Meal served.  They started the program at Villa Parke in 2012 with 15,000 Hot Meal served.  They serve 350-400 meals per week between the 2 programs.  Their Mission Statement is: Rebuilding Respect in our communities One Meal at a Time.  Longtime Pasadena resident Robin Salzer is married to Realtor and former City Councilmember Ann-Marie Villicana and they have 3 children including twin boys.

MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Fire Family Foundation contact Robin McCarthy, Executive Director – 323-550-2208 or www.FireFamilyFoundation.org.  If you aren’t able to attend, but interested in making a donation, please make checks payable to Fire Family Foundation, 815 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041 with a notation: Cecilia’s Day.