Fundraiser set to help teen suffering from brain cancer
Three years ago, the Tanase family was on its way to living the American dream.
Immigrants from Moldova, a small country in Eastern Europe, the Tanases -- father Isidor and mother Marina and their two children, Anatol (Toni) and Dan -- had a new house, cars and jobs in Las Vegas.
But that has changed since Toni, 13, was diagnosed with brain cancer in January. The medical bills from the boy's three operations and other related costs have put the Tanase family in financial straits -- they owe more than $600,000. Toni is not covered under his parents' insurance.
A fundraiser for Toni is set for today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at 3645 S. Town Center Drive. There will be live music by Good Vibrations and Vent, plus jugglers, balloon artists, gondoliers, performers and face painters provided by the BEST Agency, which represents Isidor and Marina, who are "living statue" performers at the Grand Canal Shoppes in The Venetian.
There will be appearances by Mrs. Nevada, Victoria Sins, and Pride fighter Kevin Randleman. A benefit drawing will feature prizes including tickets to the Blue Man Group, a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf gift basket, Wolfgang Puck dining certificates, personal training certificates, movie tickets and other items.
Admission to the fundraiser is free.
Marina Tanase has had to stop working in order to take care of her son, who has to be fed through a tube into his stomach.
"He lost his appetite and he's lost a lot of weight, he can't walk without us," says Marina, who helps her son 24 hours a day. "The bills sometimes makes me crazy. We were a happy family, working very hard, now our life has changed a lot."
Toni's illness began in September 2006 when his vision started to deteriorate and he experienced severe headaches. Glasses didn't help. Then he was given medication for what doctors thought were migraines.
Through it all, Toni continued to go to school despite the pain, even going to the library at night to research school projects.
He was diagnosed with the brain tumor on Jan. 8.
The bills continue to mount -- Toni began chemotherapy four days ago.
