Medina's 'Idol' Run Sparks Community Spirit

Three weeks after the Oct. 2009 accident that changed Juliana Ramos' life, a party planned as her bridal shower morphed into a fundraiser.

“The whole thing was put together in 10 days and 500 people showed up,” said Ramos’ step-father, Don Barnes. “It was just an amazing event.”

While the benefit was successful, the challenge of funding her treatments—just like the road to her recovery—is a daunting one. The total raised was nowhere near what was needed to cover the medical and therapy bills incurred with the treatment of her Traumatic Brain Injury.

Fast-forward to a little over a year after her accident, the Oak Forest community watched as Ramos’ fiancé, Chris Medina tried his hand on American Idol, touching judges so much so that his early elimination sent Jennifer Lopez into tears. Since his departure from the show, Medina has (What Are Words, available on iTunes) and worked the media circuit, and in his crooning, community members seem to have heard a call to action.

Within the next two months, at least six benefits will be held for Ramos, most of which, will be thrown by people who used to be strangers to Juliana's family.

Since the start of the Idol season, Blarney Stone Pub has hosted a weekly Idol viewing party, with .50 of every Miller Lite bottle sold and $3 of every 14” or larger pizza saved for Juliana's recovery fund.

The pub will host other benefits for Ramos in upcoming months—including an April 21 party thrown by Mary Ellen and Reginald Derman, who are racing in the Galena Triathlon in Juliana's name. Their goal is to raise at least $5,000.

The Dermans never met Juliana or her family before but heard her story and learned that she was from Oak Forest and felt like they needed to do something. Michelina Crockett, of Oak Forest also felt the same way. She’ll hit the lanes to drum up funds, at "Bowling for Juliana" Saturday, April 9 at 8 p.m.

“After watching American Idol I wanted to do something, and the idea of bowling came to me a couple days later while at the bowling alley," said Crockett.

After almost two years of physical therapy, the Ramos family learned about the Laurus Foundation just four months ago. The foundation is a private foundation that offers innovative therapy treatments for people with injuries like Ramos. Most of the fundraisers will donate the money to the Laurus Foundation, to the fund in Juliana’s name.

In the weeks leading up to the events, Patch will highlight each fundraiser as the event nears. 

• Friday, April 8
• 8–11 p.m.
• Club 162, 3551 N. Sheffield, Chicago
• $35 includes drinks, food and liquor

• Saturday, April 9
• 8 p.m.
• Centennial Lanes, 16050 Centennial Circle, Tinley Park
• $25 includes dinner and four games of bowling

• Wednesday, April 13
• 6-11 p.m.
• 115 Bourbon Street, 3359 W. 115th St., Merrionette Park
• $25 includes buffet, drinks and entertainment

• Thursday, April 21
• Blarney Stone Pub, 15400 S. Cicero, Oak Forest
• $20 includes three hour open bar, pizza and live entertainment