Ryan Seacrest Spreads Christmas Cheer to Family of Comatose Teen
The boy's parents will get $2,000 from KISSMAS Giving, a KIIS-FM effort to help families who need a boost this holiday season.
The parents of a comatose El Toro High student are getting $2,000 to help bring their son home, thanks to a Lake Forest woman's letter to radio station KIIS-FM.
Since a July 1 solo car crash left El Toro High School teen Jimmy Pequeno in a coma, the community has rallied around his family.
Lake Forest resident Angie Dominguez emailed the story to "On Air With Ryan Seacrest."
"Jimmy’s father has been protecting other people's lives for many years and it’s only right that that we give back a little to help him for this wonderful kid," Dominguez wrote to Seacrest, a radio personality and American Idol host.
Jimmy's father, Rob Pequeno, is a veteran and Lake Forest police officer who has been on leave since his son's accident.
"Right now, friends and family are trying to put things together to add on to Jimmy's house so his parents can bring him home," wrote Dominguez, whose son played football with Jimmy Pequeno at El Toro High School (the team plays Tustin this Saturday for the division championship).
"Until the accident, Jimmy had a smile on him 24/7 and was a ball of energy. He is fighting for his life and his parents are staying as strong as they can be," Dominguez wrote.
Insurance will not cover additional time at HealthBridge Children's Hospital, where Pequeno is currently staying, she said.
On Monday, she spoke on air with Seacrest about the Pequenos' efforts to bring their son home.
Seacrest called Jimmy Pequeno's mother, Angela, who was with him at the hospital.
"We're in the middle of trying to get the house ready for him," she told Seacrest. "We're just trying to raise money, and Rob and I are trying to get a loan from the bank right now to finish the room off for Jimmy."
Seacrest said, "No dollar amount is going to change what you're going through," before offering to send $2,000 to help with medical bills.
Angela Pequeno said that she "broke down and started crying" when she realized that Dominguez had emailed the radio station on her son's behalf.
"[Then I] tried to compose myself the best I could," she said.
Click here to hear Seacrest talk with Angie Dominguez and Angela Pequeno.
For more information about the Pequeno family's efforts, visit BringJimmyHome.com.
Nisha Gutierrez-Jaime
3:46 pm on Monday, December 5, 2011
The phone call on the radio this morning between Seacrest and Angela Pequeno was very touching, I'm so glad to see KIIS-FM step in and help Jimmy.
Nancy Andrews
10:48 am on Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Very moving interview. Has Jimmy's family ever reached out to 'Ryan's Reach?' Go to www.ryansreach.com. It's a local non-profit that helps those with brain injuries. Perhaps they can help with the families needs?!? Just a thought...
Praying for Jimmy, his family and friends.