Portland Timbers Soccer Camp 4 Elias #KickIt4Elias

Last November, 11-year-old Elias Garcia fell while playing at school and injured his right arm. Despite telling his parents that his arm hurt very much, doctors dismissed Elias’ aches as growing pains. A month later, while playing tag on the school playground, Elias suffered a more traumatic fall, this time breaking his upper right arm (humerus).

 

After some treatment, doctors discovered a tumor in Elias’ humerus, and on February 6, the Garcia family’s world was turned upside down when their younger son was diagnosed with bone cancer.

 

Doctors soon discovered that the osteosarcoma was spreading from his elbow to his shoulder, and Elias underwent chemotherapy on February 15. Our guy Elias was strong, but the cancer was stronger.

 

Despite 3 chemotherapy sessions, doctors told Elias’ family that the osteosarcoma was spreading rapidly up his arm.

 

On May 3, Elias’ entire right arm was amputated.

 

My name is Mayar Zokaei. I have 4 children myself - Shyla (5), Cassius (7), Mayson (10) and my own brave 11-year-old, Darius Zokaei. I am blessed beyond measure, and am conscious enough to know that any problems my family has are superficial when compared to those experienced by Elias and the Garcia family.

 

Elias’ father, Paul, is one of the best event photographers in Portland, someone who I have been lucky enough to work with over the past few years. Paul is a friend to many in the Portland entertainment scene. Reading Paul’s posts about what his family has gone through compelled me to figure out a way to help Paul, Elias, older brother Lazarus and mom, Erica.

 

And I’ve got some pretty cool friends who are going to lend me their support.

 

Please join me and Portland Timbers players Bill Tuiloma, Santiago Moreno, Zac McGraw and Blake Bodily as we converge onto the Wood Middle School soccer fields in Wilsonville (OR) on Saturday, May 21st for a special 1-Day Soccer Camp I’ve spearheaded to support Elias Garcia and his family.

 

All children 6-14 years old can attend this camp for free. There is no charge to register on the Soccer City Camps website. I just ask that if you have the means, please make a donation to this fundraiser. If you are unable to financially support our friend Elias, a share of this event and fundraiser via social media or email would be just as amazing.

 

Elias has been so indescribably brave throughout all of this, that it has helped his family become brave too. Elias is eager and dreaming about his future bionic arm. 

 

The funds raised will help towards all future expenses to assist the Garcia Family in getting the best treatments possible, help Elias achieve independence as much as possible, and give him the best life opportunities he deserves. The Garcia family will receive 100% of your donations in lieu of registration fees for this camp.

 

I will personally absorb all costs of the camp, along with support from my friends and camp sponsors Vitality Realty (Parvaneh Kalantari), Green Drop Garage (Farhad Ghafarzade) and Ovation Coffee (Karter Elhabbassi), NW Rugs (Shervin Sotudeh)  and Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville (Jeff Swickard & Mike Maloney).

 

And did I mention that we are going to have food trucks and even a live DJ? Because every superhero needs his theme music.

 

Adults can have heroes, too. And Elias joins my son Darius as one of mine. Join me on 5/21/22, and #KickIt4Elias.

If your business would like to sponsor this event, please visit SoccerCityCamps.com. All 200 kids who attend the camp will receive a t-shirt & rally towel with sponsor logos. There will also be media coverage.