“She's Not Alone”

Nine-year-old Evelyn Garcia looks like an angel as she relaxes on a bench decorated just for her comfort. And right beside her stand six more angels - her brothers and sisters. Mom and Dad are with her, too. 

“My daughter got diagnosed with sarcoma cancer when she was six,” said Jose Garcia, Evelyn’s father. "She just turned nine in October. So, she's been battling this cancer for going on three years. She's a strong girl. She's a fighter. She's a very smart girl, and she's been fighting this, but she's not alone. I know God is with her and all the supporters and people that we have around us are there for her. It makes me feel like I'm not alone. And not only that, I see that there are a lot of people going through what we're going through. We're not the only ones. I see kids younger than her battling cancer, and they don't know what's going on. They're too little.” 

You immediately sense the loving bond between the nine members of Garcia’s family. Evelyn is the sixth of seven children. They were all there with her as she was given the royal treatment Monday afternoon, December 30, in front of the Marco Brewery. 

"They're there for her,” Garcia said proudly. "They spend time with her. They help her go to the bathroom. You see, I have six more kids that support her. They're supportive kids. They're all right there. It's a big family, as you can see." 

A huge fire truck pulls up to honor Evelyn. The chief of police and fire chief are there. Police Chief Tracy Frazzano, especially, seems to connect with Evelyn. Fire chief Chris Byrne engages in a heart-to-heart with Garcia. When asked how all of the proceedings make her feel, Evelyn said, “It makes me feel special,” showing the same humility as her father. 

Evelyn has seen more than her fair share of hospitals and doctors, but her father said there’s a lot to be thankful for. 

“They've been really good to us,” Garcia said. "We can’t complain. I'm a big supporter of the Cancer Association and Saint Jude and all that because I'm going through it. It could be one good world if everybody tries and helps out to support the kids that are going through it." 

Garcia said Evelyn's future is uncertain. 

"She's just taking one day at a time,” he said, "but she's staying strong. She can't walk anymore. We've basically got to carry her. She's got her wheelchair.” 

Garcia appreciates the work done by Marco Islanders Margo and Jimmy Boylan through their Tour de Taverns bicycling fundraiser that recently raised $22,000 for Evelyn and her family. An added bonus came when Childhood Cancer Society founder and CEO Tommy Head heard about Evelyn while vacationing on Marco Island. He is sending Evelyn and her family on a one-week stay at Great Wolf Lodge. 

“They are good, good people,” Garcia said of the Boylans and Head, "because I've been in debt for a while. Being the only worker now - my wife can't work, just take care of the kids. It helps me get out of this debt.” 

For his part, Head can relate to some of the things Evelyn’s going through. He started the Childhood Cancer Society as a teenager after a health scare. 

"When I was younger,” Head said, "I had a very low platelet count, which is usually indicative of leukemia. But after a battery of tests and weekly blood work for months and a bone marrow biopsy, they ultimately determined that it was ITP, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, which simply stated, is an unknown reason for the platelet count to drop. So, I spent a lot of time in pediatric hematology and oncology and saw people who were getting chemo and radiation. Thankfully, I never had to get any of that myself. And I always knew I wanted to do something more for those kids when I could. I get to help people all over. It’s really nice. The doctors and nurses have the real hard job. We get to see everyone on usually a good day - like the one that we have here today with all of the community gathering together for this special moment.” 

Garcia has a few words for those going through times. 

"I just hope for all the kids that are going through the same,” Garcia said, "God bless them to keep the family together and never give up hope. Keep your prayers going. Have faith in God is what I have to say."