Fundraiser Held for Car Accident Victim

Reseda (myFOXla.com) - A special fundraiser was held Monday evening for a very special person. The money raised will go towards helping Kendza Kadmiry, a high school senior who was left a quadriplegic after a car accident in Reseda last February.

Jane Yamamoto has the video report.

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All money raised will be placed in a "Care for Kenza Kadmiry" account at the Bank of America in Sherman Oaks. Individuals can also make direct donations to the "Care For Kenza Kadmiry" account at the Bank of America branch at Riverside Drive and Woodman in Sherman Oaks.

On February 20, 2009, Kenza Kadmiry, a straight A student from the Cleveland High School Humanities Magnet program in Reseda was struck by a driver as she was walking her bicycle in a crosswalk at Riverside Drive and Ranchito Avenue on her way to Fashion Square Mall. Kenza suffered a severe spinal cord injury and is now a quadriplegic. She recently celebrated her 18th birthday at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles where she is receiving treatment.

Kendra is only the most recent casualty at this dangerous crosswalk. Several accidents resulting in severe injuries to pedestrians have occurred there, To date, neither the City of Los Angeles or Fashion Square Mall have addressed the danger posed by the lack of lighting and poor design of the crosswalk.

Instead of dancing at her senior prom, attending her high school graduation, and pursuing the study of environmental science at college, Kenza is burdened with enormous physical and emotional challenges. Her family is devastated. Kenza's father, Mike Kadmiry, has left his job as a marble and granite installer to help care for his daughter. Eileen Kadmiry remains at home to care for their eleven-year old son, Hakim, who has Downs Syndrome. Their eldest son, Abu, has taken a leave of absence from college to spend his days with Kenza at the hospital.

The Kadmiry family does not have the financial resources to deal with Kenza's condition. For Kenza to regain any sense of self-determination, she will need a power wheelchair and a vehicle to accommodate the chair. The Kadmiry home will require alterations to make it wheelchair-accessible. Finally, Kenza will require funds to allow her to explore any potential therapy, including stem cell treatment, which may help her achieve even partial recovery of some mobility. She may well have to travel outside the United States to receive such treatment.

Overwhelmed with grief, compassion, and love for Kenza, the teachers, students, and parents of Cleveland High School have mobilized to raise money to help her. Fellow Cleveland HS seniors Nick Rubino and Courtney Rawlings have been soliciting donations at school. The Drama Club and Cheerleaders will be donating funds to Kenza raised at their year-end events.