Legendary East L.A. teacher Jaime Escalante battles cancer

Jaime Escalante, the legendary Garfield High School math teacher immortalized in the film "Stand and Deliver," is battling cancer.

The news about Escalante, 79, was posted on the Web page of actor Edward James Olmos, who portrayed the educator in the critically acclaimed 1988 movie.

Olmos said Escalante was in serious condition and that his family had run out of money to pay the medical bills.

"The treatment he needs has depleted all the funds his family can raise," Olmos said in the announcement on his website. The family "did not want to ask for help, but we took it upon ourselves to get the word out to all the country and around the world, to make his final days as comfortable as possible -- and maybe even give him a chance to beat the cancer that has afflicted him."

Olmos could not be reached Monday night for comment.

Escalante was born in La Paz, Bolivia. His father and mother were both teachers.

He arrived in Los Angeles in the early 1960s and later landed the job at Garfield High in East Los Angeles. He was able to transform the school's calculus program into one of the top public school programs in the country.

In 1999, Escalante returned to Bolivia to teach math.

 "I wanted to do something for my country, like I did something in East L.A. for the barrio," he told The Times in a 1999 interview in Bolivia.

-- Robert J. Lopez

Photo: Jaime Escalante in the classroom in the early 1990s. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[mando]

Garfield should erect a statue of this hero beside others. Lets pray Jaime makes a full recovery.

[Daniele]

as a retired senior from LAUSD, he should have the same Cadillac benefits my retired mother has (and father had). All of my parents medical costs have been covered by their retirement benefits and Medicare.

Is this just a ploy to politicize a dying man and help the Democrats pass Health Care?

[Staid]

This is exactly why teacher's should fight to keep their benefits as administrations try to keep chipping away at them.

And yes that is why we should have a national health care program so that those who give so much never have to worry about being taken care of in their most time of need. It's just shameful that we live in this country that doesn't take care of their infirm.

Sad...

[Mike Epsilon]

Generally, retired teachers get health insurance, and every insurance plan has deductibles. Some things are covered and some are not. It really is inappropriate and even callous to suggest that there's anything political here. Mr. Escalante has done so much for our society. I, for one, thank him and wish him the best.

[Adam Celis]

It is so hard to find the proper words to ease the pain, to comfort the family and Mr. Escalante himself. Cancer is such a terrible disease that breaks the will of even the strongest of individuals. It drives you to madness to see and live with so much pain, it is such a nighmare for everybody involved. All that i can say Mr escalante, is that i have an idea of what you and your family are going through. I have been there myself. I can't even finish the sentence before i break down, not so long ago i lost my beloved mother to cancer, but not after a long and painful fight. As a Garfield Alumni i've had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Escalante, such a firm but yet caring individual. Let us all pray for him and his family because at times like this every little bit counts.

[ruben soqui]

PS CHS Calexico High School.
PS I am a graduated student of his who knows how much he really looks up to you as a mentor. I think both of you would enjoy a conversation together as colleagues.

[Tom Paine]

Staid, your comment is stupid. Our system does take care of people. When has anyone been denied care? Show up at a public hospital emergency room...you get treated. And then when you don't pay, the rest of us pays the pills in higher costs and premiums.

Maybe we can be like Canada and he can wait on a long waiting list to receive care. People end up dead before they get the care needed in places like Canada and Great Britain.

[Bob]

Where to send the funds. He moved back to Bolivia, that's why he doesn't have the medical he would have had here.
This man is a hero among hero's. One to admire and one every teacher, in any subject, should emulate. Unfortunately this is not the case, which is why he is so special.

[Dan]

In order to qualify for LAUSD health benefits, Mr. Escalante would have had to retire into the State Retirement System from LAUSD. Unfortunately, I believe that he resigned from the District to work in Sacramento and other school districts thus forfeiting his lifetime LAUSD benefits. At the present time, a new employee must meet the rule of 85 (combintation of age and years of service) plus retire into STRS from the District to qualify for lifetime benefits. Is he currently living in Bolivia? What health benefits are provided there?

[L Cross]

I agree with Mike Epsilon and Mando he is a hero and there is a time and a place for everything. Now is not the time for politics... I have great respect for Mr. Escalante and I am deeply sadden by the news. I will be praying for him and his family for a speedy recovery.

[Steve]

Here is a link to Edward James Olmos' website and the Friends of Jaime Escalante.

It is an honor to be able to help the man, a true hero!

My check is in the mail.

http://www.edwardjamesolmos.com/PDF/JAIME-ESCALANTE-DONATION.pdf

http://www.edwardjamesolmos.com/

[Steve_CA]

On Wikipedia there is a good summary of Jaime's career and life and why he is a very special guy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaime_Escalante

It appears to me that he left teaching at Garfield HS before he was fully vested in the retirement plan (due to the politics involved at Garfield) and then spent part of the 90's in Sacramento trying to recreate the same magic he had accomplished in East LA.

A dedicated teacher for most of his life. In Japan they would've put up a statue of him and funded a scholarship program in his name. In America, we have to ask for donations to help him in his illness and old age. We should be ashamed.

My check is in the mail.
http://www.edwardjamesolmos.com/PDF/JAIME-ESCALANTE-DONATION.pdf

I am honored to be able to help a man who has actually made a difference in the lives of others.

[Carlos Caridad]

I'm was a teacher my self and I know of the importance and monumental job Mr. Escalante work did. What I do not understand why he has to go through inhuman cancer treatments like chemotherapy, when there are alternatives that work 3 to four times better.

It's a pity to see such a great man suffering when really there is not reason for it...

The picture of Mr Escalante with about 12 pills containers is just scary

Just Google "alternative bladder cancer treatment' or similar keywords, and you'll find hope!!!

[marissa vasquez]

i love his movie stand and deliver!!!!! hope he gets through this!!!!!

[Donaldli Ingalls]

How do I donate? I want to donate something even if I can only donate $10.00 or $20.00.

Love
-Donaldli Ingalls
LSU Class of 89
Samuel Gompers Secondary School 84-87 San Diego CA Math/Computer Science Magnet

[Jude]

Does anyone not ask how it is that the Chinese people do not provide health care as Obama pushes it for egotistic reasons? You might consider that the spiritual monks of the Shaolin temple, including Confucius, passed down their discovery that the vital force, the elan vital, or qi, etc. was provided by the creator of all to all of us to heal ourselves, as described in Discover the Body's Wisdom by Mirka Kastner regarding many protocols in many cultures... which is why qi gong is taught in their schools so that they can clear any stasis, or blockage in other words, and move harmful things we take in OUT of our body.

I hope someone tells Jaime where he can find someone to teach or guide him to practice it.
A certified instructor of qi gong,

[Tehachapian]

Daniele -- what a heartless comment. Typical Republican thought process. Here's wishing Mr. Escalante the best possible outcome. I'm making a donation. Daniele -- you should, too, if only to attone.

[Allan]

This is a teacher who believed in his students. Mr. Escalante showed the school board that his students aren't dumb but made them work hard to their goals or dreams. He also said effort is one of important thing in life because with no effort no one will not end up where they are now. He inspired a lot of people around the world, a teacher who end up in East Los Angeles.

[JULIE MEDLIN-LOPEZ]

MR.ESCALANTE WAS A WONDERFUL TEACHER WHILE I WAS IN HIS CLASS AT HIRAM W. JOHNSON HIGH SCHOOL IN SACRAMENTO, CA. I WANT TO WISH HIM THE BEST IN WHAT HE'S DEALING WITH AND I'M PRAYING FOR HIM AND ALSO HIS FAMILIA. I MISS YOUR BRIGHT SMILE AND I ALSO HAVE THE CEASAR CHAVEZ CALANDER & FLAG YOU GAVE ME, THANK YOU ALWAYS JULIE!

[Marcia Shaikin]

You should give a source for donating to help the teacher.

[carlo]

Why doesn't Escalante's insurance cover this treatment

[Olivia_hart]

R.I.P. May god bless your freinds and family for thier efforts!