FERGUS – A Zumba fundraiser for Jacqueline Gallegos, recently diagnosed with stage four breast and bone cancer, has raised over $13,000.
Gallegos lives in Elora with husband Daniel and their seven children, all under the age of 14.
The Feb. 9 event, held at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex in Fergus, was organized by Sarah Schleen, Zumba instructor and longtime friend of Gallegos.
“We both went to Elora Junior together and she lived down the street from me, so we used to walk home from school together,” said Schleen.
“The event though was to show her that she is not alone; that the community is here to help her fight this.”
Approximately 500 people attended the evening event, taking part in Zumba to show support for the Gallegos family.
Children and seniors were among those who took part in the 25-minute Zumba set led by Schleen, including the entire Gallegos family.
Local world-renowned magician Ryan Joyce then entertained the crowd with a performance of two magic tricks.
Joyce, too, went to high school with Gallegos.
The fundraiser ended with a half-hour competitive showcase by the members of the Stage Presence School of Dance, including Gallegos’s daughter, Angel, who performed four numbers.
“There was actually one lyrical number that she did and at the end of the lyrical number all the dancers held up a photo of their mom and everyone burst into tears – it was very emotional,” explained Schleen.
She said before the event was over it had raised over $10,000, well above her $2,500 goal.
“When [Gallegos] first heard of my initial goal of $2,500, she thought, ‘Oh wow, that’s a lot of money,’” Schleen said.
“I announced at the fundraiser that we had over $10,000 and [Gallegos] just burst into tears and was extremely, extremely grateful,” she added.
The fundraising didn’t end there, however.
Many local businesses, including Macadi Jewellers, Elora Mill, Jesters, Pet Value, Home Basics, CW Lash Extensions, Sensational You, Giant Tiger, I Love Chocolate and others, donated to a raffle and cake auction.
By the end of the night, Schleen, the Gallegos family and Joyce together counted $11,942.
That number has only continued to grow in the days following the fundraiser with the current figure over $13,000 (at the Advertiser’s press time).
“Most people are messaging either myself or Jackie directly,” Schleen said.
Schleen and the Gallegos family have been overwhelmed by the generosity and support the initiative has received.
“I knew that I could at least do this for her. I can’t cure her, but I could [organize the fundraiser] so, I was so blown away by the community helping,” said Schleen.
Every little bit will help the family, she added.
“It is stage 4 breast and bone cancer, so it’s very serious and she has the seven children … so just to give her some financial peace for the next little while … just so she doesn’t have to worry about that while she is going through treatment,” said Schleen.
