United Baptist Church hosts concert to benefit Scranton 4-year-old with leukemia
Jun. 21—Who: While Ayisah Barragan is quite young, she's had a big impact on those around her.
That's why friends in the community are rallying around the Scranton 4-year-old and her family, which includes parents, Alex and Amanda, and sister, Dhanya, during her fight with Pre-B Cell Leukemia. This includes Elena Morales.
What: Morales, whose husband, Eric, is pastor of United Baptist Church in Scranton, heard about Ayisah's story through her own children as they are all part of West Scranton Little League together. The little league was hosting a fundraiser for Ayisah and Morales felt compelled to help, with an event of her own, especially after her own family's experience with cancer.
Her husband is a cancer survivor, and Morales remembers how difficult it was to not only cope with the diagnosis but keep up with the appointments, treatments and more. All of this on top of caring for the couple's three children — Austin, Grace and Eric — was hard on the family, mentally, emotionally and financially. As the parents of two little girls, Morales said she can empathize with Ayisah's family and that's why she felt so compelled to help.
How: Morales and her husband, who are both vocalists, will host a benefit worship concert for Ayisah on Saturday, June 24, at 6 p.m. at the church, 213 S. Main Ave., Scranton. In addition to performances from Morales and her husband, the couple's daughter, Grace, also will sing during the event, as will Ayisah and Dhanya.
"Their parents brought the girls to my Sunday School class to go over the songs they will be singing and they are just wonderful and adorable," Morales said. "This event is all for them."
Tickets cost $10, cash only, and they can be purchased at the door or in advance at the church. There also will be baskets, gift cards and other donated items raffled off. For those who cannot attend the concert, but would like to donate, donations can be dropped off or mailed to United Baptist Church, Attn: Elena Morales, 213 S. Main Ave., Scranton. Morales said she's already received donations from as far as California, and one hundred percent of the proceeds from the event will go to Ayisah and her family.
"We are not taking one dollar, every penny is for this family and we're just doing what we can to help," Morales said. "No family should ever have to bear this burden alone."
For more information, visit the Facebook event page, "Worship Concert Fundraiser for Ayisah Barragan" or visit United Baptist Church Scranton on Facebook.
In her own words: "It's going to be a night of prayer, worship and singing, and it's for everyone, kids and adults. When one person is going through cancer, everyone is affected, and we're coming together for Ayisah and to bless her and bless this family."
Contact the writer: gmazur@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9127; @gmazurTT on Twitter
