Gloria Estefan, others coming to aid of local musician paralyzed in crash

If any musician can relate to the injury suffered by fellow singer Katy Eberts, it is probably Gloria Estefan.

In July Eberts, a singer with the Seven Wonders, was paralyzed from the breastbone down after she and her band were involved in a Thruway crash. In 1990, the Cuban-born Estefan suffered a broken back when an 18-wheeler slammed into her tour bus.

On Friday, Estefan, a multi-Grammy winner, made what has been described as a "generous donation" to Eberts' rehabilitation.

Estefan is not alone. Musicians locally and from across the country have rallied around Eberts. A fundraising concert is scheduled Saturday, Sept. 23, at the Joseph A. Floreano Rochester Riverside Convention Center to help with the costs of Eberts' treatment and rehabilitation.

The concert is scheduled from 2 p.m. until 10 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance or $40 at the door. Released from the hospital Friday, Eberts is expected to attend the concert.

Tickets are available online at a Facebook page or an eventbrite.com page headlined "Concert for Katy Benefit Show."

Seven Wonders is a Fleetwood Mac tribute band and was en route to a Syracuse performance at the time of the accident. The van she was traveling in ran off the road and rolled over. Similarly, Estefan was heading to a Syracuse show with her crash.

Already, more than $100,000 has been raised for Eberts, through online sites and other fundraisers. Fundraisers say corporate sponsors have stepped up, with the concert lead sponsor being the Ide Family of Dealerships, along with additional sponsorship from others, including Whirlwind.

The event Saturday also includes raffles and auctions. Among the available items are Bills' tickets, including suite tickets at the stadium; signed guitars from Lou Gramm; lunch for four with WWE star Mick Foley; spa experiences; and a private band performance, at the event of one's choosing, by The Breakfast Club.

"Katy's battle is just beginning, and of course, finances have become a tremendous strain on Katy, her husband Brian, and their families," fundraisers say in a statement. "Not only are medical bills building, but Katy and Brian's home and vehicles will need extensive renovations to accommodate Katy's basic needs."

On Friday Eberts was released from Golisano Restorative Neurology & Rehabilitation at Unity Hospital, where she has been for rehabilitation.

“Just because I am leaving, doesn’t mean the journey to recovery is over," she said in a statement "This is only the beginning of a very long road.  The staff at Golisano Neuro Rehab has been instrumental in my recovery so far and for that, I am forever grateful."

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This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Katy Eberts gets aid from Gloria Estefan and others