Event funds awe family

When community members heard about the plight of Juan Leyva and his family, it wasn’t surprising that they rallied behind him.

Friends and coworkers put on a benefit for the man who was recently diagnosed with lymphocytic leukemia to help relieve some of the burden put on his family. It was only natural that some people would give to help.

But $12,000 was a little unexpected.

“The turnout was amazing,” said Rebecca Long, one of Leyva’s former coworkers who helped put on a benefit.

About 300 people showed up to support the 37-year-old Costa Mesa resident and former Yard House employee July 14 for “Juan-A-Palooza” at the Harp Inn. Leyva, despite being ill, came to the event and stayed for quite some time, Long said.

The night had an auction, made money from drink sales and charged at the door to help raise the $12,000, which all goes to the Leyva family.

There were some items left over from the auction that were also donated to the family.

As for Leyva, he has been pretty ill of late, Long said. But he has moved apartments in an effort to better his health.

Leyva was diagnosed with leukemia about four months ago, but he had been living with it for a few years.

He had to leave his job at the Yard House in Costa Mesa because his immune system had been severely damaged — he had been working there since it opened about 10 years ago.

Leyva’s wife, Patricia, has taken over her husband’s job at the restaurant.

His nephew, Francisco Gopar, also works at the Yard House and has been helping the family.

DANIEL TEDFORD may be reached at (714) 966-4632 or at daniel.tedford@latimes.com.