Community Unites to Support Watsonville High Student with Brain Tumor

A Community Comes Together for a Young Athlete

Watsonville has witnessed an incredible display of support for Xavier Mendoza, a sophomore at Watsonville High School who has been in the intensive care unit since being hospitalized for a brain bleed on June 30. The community rallied behind him through a GoFundMe campaign, which has already surpassed its initial goal of $20,000 to help cover medical costs and lost wages for his family.

Xavier, known as X to those close to him, is currently stable, though his family is awaiting a biopsy to determine the extent of his condition. His journey has captured the attention and compassion of many, showcasing the strength and unity of the local community.

The Origin of the Fundraiser

The GoFundMe campaign was started by Monica Sunzeri, the community schools specialist for Watsonville Charter School of the Arts, where Xavier previously attended before enrolling at Watsonville High. His younger brothers are either currently attending or will attend the school in the fall. Sunzeri expressed her gratitude for the swift and generous response from the community, noting that it was not entirely surprising given the strong bonds within the area.

“I knew that we would raise a lot just because of how strong our community is,” she said. “We really take care of each other and look out for each other, and I think Watsonville as a community, as a whole, we really come together during difficult times.”

A Sudden Health Crisis

On June 30, after returning from a league basketball game, Xavier began experiencing a severe headache. His mother, Desiree Cervantes, noticed he was acting differently before he collapsed. He was rushed to Watsonville Community Hospital, where a brain bleed was diagnosed, and he was placed on a ventilator. He was later transferred to the intensive care unit at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital at Stanford, where a tumor was discovered that affected the left side of his body, impacting his ability to move and speak.

A Member of the School Community

Xavier was a prominent figure in the Watsonville Charter School of the Arts community. He played on the school’s basketball team during middle school and continued his athletic pursuits at Watsonville High. Two of his brothers, Joseph and Andre, currently attend the school, while his youngest brother, Dominic, is set to start kindergarten in the fall.

Staff members, including former Principal Amy Thomas and several of his middle school teachers, have visited Xavier in the hospital, expressing their concern and support. Sunzeri described him as a vibrant, well-liked student with a positive and happy personality.

“He’s a really vibrant, well-liked kid, very athletic and really known for his really positive, happy, jovial personality,” she said. “To see him in that state has been really shocking to the community.”

Supporting the Family

Sunzeri established the GoFundMe campaign to assist Xavier’s family, as both parents would need to take time off work to be with him. She emphasized the importance of offsetting the financial burden associated with his treatment.

“We’re trying to offset costs and loss of wages because we knew that (his mother) would not be able to work,” she said. “Dad too is going to have to take a lot of time off to be with X, so we wanted to try to help out however we could right away.”

The initial goal of $20,000 was met quickly, with 345 donations received. The funds will go toward covering expenses such as gas and lodging for the family.

Updates and Future Steps

In a message shared with the campaign, Cervantes provided updates on Xavier’s condition. She mentioned that the blood had dissipated, the tumor had not progressed, and fluid was no longer being drained from his brain. However, he remains unable to speak or move the left side of his body.

“We thank you for your prayers, your donations and taking the time to share my son’s story with everyone,” she wrote. “Saying thank you simply won’t ever feel like enough. I appreciate you all so much and when X wakes up from all of this, I can’t wait to show him how much of an impact he’s had on everyone and how much people are supporting him and his journey.”

Sunzeri explained that the family is waiting for a biopsy to determine if the tumor is malignant and whether any further treatment is necessary. Due to the tumor’s location, surgery is not an option. The results of the biopsy may also indicate whether Xavier will regain the ability to speak or move and what kind of resources he might need.

“This is a long road ahead,” she said. “There’s just so many unknowns, and he may need long-term care. He may not ever be able to move the (left) side of his body, so they’re looking at the costs of wheelchairs and wheelchair-accessible vehicles.”

Expanding the Goal

To account for potential additional costs, the campaign goal was raised to $22,000. Sunzeri acknowledged that while $20,000 is a significant amount, it barely covers the expenses associated with a serious medical condition like a possible cancerous tumor.

“It’s gonna be a long road,” she said. “I’m hoping that our community can come together for the long haul.”

Those interested in supporting Xavier can visit the GoFundMe page to contribute to his healing journey.