Jaime Escalante — the East Los Angeles math teacher whose devotion to his students inspired the 1988 film Stand and Deliver — is fighting cancer, and his family is struggling to raise the money needed to pay for his treatments.
The Bolivian-born Escalante, now 80 years old, gained international acclaim for his work teaching advanced math to impoverished students at Garfield High School in Los Angeles. Now Mr. Escalante could use a bit of encouragement of his own. His family needs about $25,000 to get the beloved educator the medical care that will make his final days a bit more comfortable, and his friends are reaching out for help. A fund for Escalante has been set up by a number of Stand and Deliver cast members — which includes Edward James Olmos, Vanessa Marquez, and Lou Diamond Phillips — and The Foundation for Advancements in Science and Education in Pasadena.
If you’re in the Los Angeles area, a fundraising drive is set for this Saturday, March from 10 AM to 4 PM at Garfield High School. If you’re not in California, but would like to help, contributions can be sent to “Friends of Jaime,” C/O FASE, 236 W. Mountain St., Suite 105, Pasadena, CA 91103. Call 626-793-5300 for information.