[Our gratitude] First and foremost, on behalf of Cesar (Sonny) Casanas and the Casanas family, we would love to thank everybody who has been notified and aware of the recent and unfortunate circumstances for the continual prayers and support. Every measure of love, care, and prayers has been utilized as a pillar of strength and courage for us all: the Casanas family, so once again, we are thankful.

[Incident] For those who are not aware, on the morning of June 17, 2021, our dear Cesar (Sonny) Casanas had sustained an unexpected and accidental fall in the midst of a move to a new home. This devastating incident resulted in Sonny sustaining a fracture in the cervical vertebrae of the spine [C5 – C6], inflammation of the spinal cord [C3 - C7], and a small-scaled hemorrhage in the brain. As a result, Sonny has been battling a daunting healthcare fight in the Intensive Care Unit while receiving around-the-clock monitoring and care for:

• paralysis from the chest down to his lower extremities (torso, arms, hands, legs, & feet) with little to no-sensation in the shoulders, neck, and upper back.
• diminished respiratory status (transitory intubation to now long-term tracheostomy) and mechanical ventilator support for breathing
• inserted feeding tube for nutritional support
• respiratory and systemic infections
• management of intense nerve pain
• + long-term healthcare support

Through Sonny’s unwavering faith, strength, courage and perseverance, he is continuing to battle this long-haul fight on the road to recovery and strengthening.  Nevertheless, continual prayers are eternally appreciated.

[Sonny + Casanas Family, and their mission] For those who know him, you would know that Cesar (Sonny) Casanas is an incredible, selfless, wise and God-fearing man who holistically embodies the role of a loving husband to his wife Lina, father to Mary Venzon and Christine Casanas, papa to his three amazing grandchildren, brother, uncle, confidant, and faithful and passionate prayer warrior for everybody who is fortunate to cross paths with him, and everything more.

In addition to this, Sonny’s lifelong devotion and mission is to passionately serve Jesus and the church through prayer, faithfulness, and music, via his family’s sound & audio service titled: Sounds for Mission. Sounds for Mission, piloted by Cesar (Sonny) Casanas, is utilized as an instrument to be able to wholeheartedly and devotedly serve the church while graciously not requesting anything in return, including monetary gain. Sonny serves a multitude of catholic churches in Southern California which includes:

• Holy Family Catholic Church [Artesia, CA]
• St. Pius Catholic Church [Buena Park, CA]
• St. Bernard Catholic Church [Bellflower, CA]
• St. Linus Catholic Church [Norwalk, CA],
• St. Paul of the Cross [La Mirada, CA]
• St. Barnabus Catholic Church [Long Beach, CA]
• St. Irenaeus Catholic Church [Cypress, CA]
• St. Lucy Catholic Church [Long Beach, CA]
• St. Philomena Catholic Church [Carson, CA]
• St. Christopher Catholic Church [West Covina, CA]
• St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church [Long Beach, CA]
• St. Cyprian Catholic Church [Long Beach, CA]
• St. Dominic Savio Catholic Church [Bellflower, CA]
• St. Anthony Catholic Church [El Segundo, CA]
• St. Anthony Mary Claret Catholic Church [Anaheim, CA]
• St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church [Anaheim, CA]
• St. Boniface Catholic Church [Anaheim, CA]
• St. Albert the Great Catholic Church [Rancho Dominguez, CA]
• St. Philip Benizi Catholic Church [Fullerton, CA]
• St. Pancratius Catholic Church [Lakewood, CA]
• and so many more.

He also lovingly provides and serves for the:

• Alliance of Two Hearts ministry
• Fiesta of Santo Nino for a congregation of churches
• Celebration of Jesus of Nazareth events
• church-related, dinner-dance fundraisers
• weekend-long church retreats
• Choir member for St. Barnabas, St. Bernard, and Holy Family Catholic churches
• and so much more.

Even with this, we cannot fathom or put into words the fiery-burning love, immeasurable dedication, and lifelong devotion and service that Cesar (Sonny) Casanas has for Jesus, Mama Mary, Sto. Nino, the church, and for others.

[motivative purpose of this fundraiser] To our supporters, 100% of this support will be going to the Casanas family to help ease the burden of this unexpected financial strain. With Cesar (Sonny) Casanas fulfilling the role of financial provider and advisor for the family, daughters Mary Venzon and Christine Casanas are now bearing the weight of this role, and are in need of help, love, prayers, and financial support in regards to Sonny’s unanticipated, calamitous circumstance. This financial backing will be used for our brother Sonny’s abundance of:

• medical expenses
• impending long-term rehab support
• out-of-pocket rehab services outside of insurance coverage
• vehicular modifications and equipment for wheelchair accessibility
• housing adjustments such as creating a disability-safe home
• and any incident-involved expenses moving forward.

[To Conclude] This unfortunate circumstance has caused an immense amount of pain, grief, and heartache for our family. In contempt of the sudden and drastic change in the course of our lives: the magnitude of donating to and/or sharing of this GoFundMe will undoubtedly move mountains and allow us to manage what seemed impossible during this current storm. With this in mind, no donation amount is too small, and each measure of love and support will be indebted by us.

To our supporters, loved ones, and prayer warriors: we would love to thank you so much (& in advance) for your helping hand in support, words of encouragement, prayers, and love; along with now allowing the opportunity to aid with this financial difficulty, the ease of this burden will be immeasurable and boundless for our family. We are eternally grateful for this army behind our dear, Cesar (Sonny) Casanas.

with so much love, the Casanas family

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Special Thank You to:
-JP Elchico and ER Elchico for the initiative idea of this GoFundMe pledge, and support of Sonny Casanas.
-Krista Fitero, Jai Jimenez, Jo-Anne Roxas for their active and generous team involvement for this GoFundMe pledge, and support of Sonny Casanas.
-Elchico Family, Casanas Family, & Corpuz Family  for all of their genuine, and loving support of Sonny Casanas.
-& Geoffrey Sulivar for lovingly embodying the role of the organizer and coordinator of this GoFundMe pledge, and support of Sonny Casanas.

-love,
Mary, Christine, & Lina Casanas