Fundraiser to Help Local Boy

Update: If you missed a fundraiser and would like to donate, contributions can be made at any California Coast Credit Union. Ask to deposit in the account of Ryan O'Dell.

The family of nine-year-old Santee resident and Rio Seco School student Ryan O'Dell took him for what they thought would be a check-up, after some nausea and a headache, and got even more painful news.

O'Dell was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor on Aug. 21 and has been undergoing medical treatment ever since.

Community members are now teaming up to raise funds for the family and will hold a fundraiser in his honor Thursday Oct. 21 at Jimano's Pizzeria.

Santee resident and radio personality Clint August said he heard of Ryan's diagnosis from a woman at The Coffee Corner, the coffee shop he visits every morning, and felt he had to do something.

"He is an eight-year-old boy," said August. "I have two boys, as a father it breaks my heart."

August insisted O'Dell's family did not ask for the fundraiser, but he and a group of friends felt compelled to help the family after noticing donation buckets at different locations around Santee.

After he asked his friend and owner of Jimano's Pizzeria, Matt Miller, they decided to donate to the family.

The event will be from 7-9 p.m. and will include door prizes. Miller, however, will donate 15 percent of all take-out and dine-in orders of the day to the family.

"He is a great little kid," said Miller. "It would be a shame for him not to get what he needs."

Miller said he met O'Dell and his family after his grandmother ordered a pizza from him, and a delivery driver happened to be out. While he had decided to put the event on, he wanted to take the opportunity to meet them.

"I was very impressed by him," he said. "He is an incredible kid, very articulate, gracious, grateful and appreciative. Very well raised."

Donna Piazza, O'Dell's grandmother, said O'Dell is currently undergoing chemotherapy to rid him of the malignant brain tumor.

"He is a strong child with a strong determination to beat the cancer," she said. "He will undergo radiation treatments after the chemo to destroy any residual cancer cells in his brain or spine."

Piazza also said the family did not organize the fundraiser, and the donation buckets were to "help the family maintain their home while they are unable to work their normal schedules due to direct care and medical treatments for Ryan and his younger brother, Logan."

Jimano's Pizzeria is located at 9535 Mission Gorge Road in Santee.

"Fortunately, I have the ability to contribute," said Miller. "In my opinion, I have to give back to the community, and it feel like the right thing to do."

Any inquiries or non-cash donations may contact FriendsOfRyanODell@gmail.com or 619-507-3283.