Andy Valenta, a Firefighter/Paramedic with 12 years of service with the Vista Fire Department, was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma on January 8th, 2021. Stage four cancer spread to his brain, lungs, and bones. Andy passed away on April 25, 2021. His wife Caylie and members of the Vista Firefighters, founded the ‘Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation’.
On Monday evening, May 2, 2022, there was a fundraising event held at Belching Beaver Tavern in Vista. Belching Beaver, in collaboration with the Vista Fire Fighters #4107, brewed “True Grit”, Andy’s IPA! Beer was sold in 4-packs. “True Grit” T-shirts were also available for purchase. 100% of the profit will go towards the ‘Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation’!
At 4:00pm there was a full pallet of beer. At 6:30pm there was about 12 -4 packs left and the fundraiser was a huge success. The event raised over $14,000!!! The money will be used for pre cancer screenings for firefighters who are more likely to suffer from the disease than the general public. If you would like to contribute to the foundation go to: avmelanoma.org
The support for Andy’s wife Caylie and his daughters, Lily and Grace, is obvious by the amount of Firefighters, friends and families and the community, that came together tonight. As it says on the can, ‘We would like to salute Andy, his wife Caylie, and his daughters Lily and Grace. Cheers today and always to the man who stood in the arena with us, who did everything with enthusiasm, and who taught every one of us what it means to live life’.
