Couple seeks funds for Peruvian boy’s care

The Newport Beach couple who will be taking care of a teenager from Peru while he receives much-needed surgery in the U.S. is asking for donations to the young man’s medical fund to pay for his stay in the States and for care when he returns to Peru.

Juan Carbajal, 17, was injured during a violent attack at a carnival in Peru when he was 14.

The attack nearly killed him, severely damaged his skull and left a side of his face scarred from burns.

Shannon Curry Westgaard and her husband, Justin, have championed Juan’s cause, helping bring him to the U.S. and receive surgery via Shriner’s, an international health-care system that provides medical care at no charge for those who qualify.

Juan will be arriving Wednesday, and while much of his medical needs will be taken care of, the Westgaards are asking for help to cover the cost of Juan’s six-month stay and his schooling once he returns to Peru.

The total goal for Juan is $9,000 — $4,000 for his stay in Newport Beach and $5,000 to pay for his care once he returns to Peru.

Donations should be made out to the Juan Carbajal Medical Fund and can be mailed to Westgaard at 217 Apolena Ave., Newport Beach, CA, 92662.

Westgaard will have a beneficiary account set up for Juan through Washington Mutual upon his arrival, and people can transfer funds to that account through wire transfer number 322271627 and account number 3580880744.

Other donations to the beneficiary fund can be mailed to Washington Mutual Bank, Newport Center Financial Center 917, 551 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, CA, 92660.

— Daniel Tedford