Donations continue to stream in for Cameron Piorek, an Aliso Niguel High School sophomore who sustained a spinal cord injury during a lacrosse game last month.
About $20,000 has been raised for the Piorek family, who has accrued extensive medical bills since Cameron entered Mission Hospital on April 22. Donation organizers have set a goal to raise $100,000.
Cameron's father, Brandon Piorek, said the donations so far have been amazing.
"It's been incredibly encouraging at a very scary time," he said. "It helps us get through this process."
Community members, local churches and schools have contributed to the fundraising effort. JSerra Catholic High School collected $2,000, while Capistrano Valley High School made a gift basket for the Pioreks filled with gift certificates for grocery stores, gas and Target. Saddleback and Coast Hills churches also have made donations.
Cameron's classmates responded to the cause by putting his lacrosse number "36" on their helmets, T-shirts and socks.
"People are so generous," said organizer Cindy Van Zandt. "It's everyone's first experience with a catastrophic injury and the costs are phenomenal. Everyone's really stepping up to take care of business."
According to Piorek, Cameron is paralyzed from the chest down, but has most of his arm movement. He is making progress step by step, and doctors are working to get him more comfortable with his breathing.
"The medical prognosis doesn't give him a very high probability to walk again," Piorek said. "We're holding out more hope than that. We've talked to other people who've gone through similar injuries who have given us better news."
During his junior varsity lacrosse game, Cameron, a defender, confronted an opposing defensive player who was charging toward the goal with the ball, Piorek said. The two collided in what appeared to be a head-to-shoulder hit, similar to a move seen in football.
Cameron's C-7 vertebrae was destroyed, which misaligned his spine and damaged the spinal cord at that location.
"With everything we've been going through, it's been a pretty scary time," Piorek said. "To have all the community involvement and just knowing there are a lot of people out there praying, bringing us meals and coming to visit Cameron makes us incredibly grateful."
For updates on Cameron's progress, visit www.caringbridge.org/visit/cameronpiorek.
