Each year the Jewish Community Foundation of San Diego (JCF) facilitates the Peter Chortek Leadership Award (PCLA), an award created by the Chortek Family to foster Jewish communal involvement by rewarding Jewish teens who are practicing Tikkun Olam, repairing the world.
After recovering from some serious symptoms caused by a bacterial infection known as Bartonella, Canyon Crest Academy senior Kiara Blacher started Kids for a Cure as a way to raise money to help others get through their own illnesses.
Carmel Valley teen determined to help others with chronic illnesses
Kiara Blacher performing with the band Vixi at the July 10 benefit concert.
(Itay Paz Photography)
A mysterious spider bite changed Kiara Blacher’s life for worse and for better.
The suffering the Carmel Valley teen experienced from a rare disease resulting from the bite forged in her the conviction to help other children with similar plights.
Now 17 and entering her senior year at Canyon Crest Academy, Kiara formed the nonprofit organization Kids 4 A Cure three years ago to generate money supporting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“About four years ago, I got a chronic illness which changed a big part of my life and I wanted to try to help other people with similar experiences that don’t have access to the same medical services that I do,” said Kiara, whose family lives in the Torrey Hills community of Carmel Valley.