Concert will benefit Centennial student battling cancer

Blandina Vergara-Cruz's phone pings again and again.

She glances down at her phone. Another donation has gone through to her teen son's medical fund.

Her son, Raymond Cruz, is battling Stage 4 Ewing-like Sarcoma.

The Williamson County community has rallied to support the Centennial High School junior since the diagnosis.

Schools across the county have solicited donations at school plays and games. Bracelets and t-shirts with the slogan #RayStrong have been created. An online fundraiser has raised thousands of dollars. Community members have even helped the family with chores and meals.

The support shows no signs of slowing down.

Several groups are organizing a concert at Centennial High in May to benefit Raymond.

"The community has overwhelmed our family," Vergara-Cruz said. "We just want to say thank you."

Raymond is undergoing 27 weeks of chemotherapy treatment, Vergara-Cruz said.

"He's doing good," she said. "He's fighting."

Raymond gets hundreds of texts of support, Vergara-Cruz said.

"He's of course overwhelmed," Vergara-Cruz said. "It helps him fight knowing he has so much support."

Centennial High's theatre and choir departments, Pull-Tight Players, Kids On Stage, Franklin Brentwood Arts Academy and The Jam will present the concert.

Reach Melanie Balakit at 615-926-1638 and on Twitter @MelanieBalakit. 

Benefit concert

6 - 9 p.m. Saturday, May 6

Performing Arts Center at Centennial High School

5050 Mallory Lane, Franklin, TN 37067

Auction

Event producers are collecting auction items. Email Stephanie Dillard at raystrongbenefitconcert@gmail.com for more information.