Patch Blog: Help an Echo Park Neighbor in Need

In a city as massive and sprawling as Los Angeles, it's easy to feel anonymous, to let a wave on the way out the door be your only contact with your neighbors. Before coming to Echo Park, I had grown accustomed to that anonymity. Shortly after moving here I discovered one of the greatest parts of our little corner of L.A., something I think most fellow EP residents can attest to: the feeling of belonging to a community.

I live on a street where someone will take my trash cans out for me on Wednesday morning if I forgot the night before, with neighbors who will text to check on me if they see my car in the driveway in the middle of the day when I should be at work. People share their lives, celebrate and support one another through every event, from Sunday barbecues and birthdays to times of tragedy. And now, in a time of great sadness, Echo Park friends and family members have rallied together to raise support for one of our neighbors when she needs it most.

Rebecca Zamarripa has lived in Echo Park all her life—39 years this 4th of July. She is a daughter, a devoted mother to Christian, Janiene and Randy, an aunt, a sister and a cherished friend who brightens the lives of those who know her. Right now, she is in the hospital bravely battling the cancer attacking her body as she has done every day for well over a year. The toll on her family is unimaginable, and I can think of no adequate words to express my sorrow at the suffering they're experiencing and the unfairness that someone so young must go through so much pain. In addition to the physical and emotional pain cancer brings with it there is also the crushing financial burden of paying for countless doctors, treatments, hospital bills and medication. That's where we come in, neighbors!

On Saturday July 9th, there will be a neighborhood-organized all-day car wash for Rebecca starting at 8:00 a.m. at . While none of us can say anything that will erase Rebecca and her family's suffering, we can help them by donating enough money to ensure that both she and her children can afford the care they need. If you can't make it to the car wash on the 9th, there will be also be donation jars in many Echo Park businesses, including . Any checks can be made out to Ronald C. Tafoya and sent care of El Centro del Pueblo, 1157 Lemoyne St., Los Angeles, CA 90026.

From businesses to individuals, every member of the Echo Park community can do their part, and I hope all of you will join me (on July 9th or otherwise) in supporting our neighbor and her family in their time of need.