Donations sought to pay medical bills for cancer-stricken ‘Stand and Deliver’ teacher

Funds sought for ill ‘Stand and Deliver’ teacher

LOS ANGELES — Cast members of the 1988 movie “Stand and Deliver” are appealing for donations to help the movie’s real-life subject, an East Los Angeles high school teacher, pay his medical bills.

Jaime Escalante is battling cancer, and his family has run out of money to pay for his treatments. The Bolivian-born Escalante is 79 years old.

Actress Vanessa Marquez, who appeared in the film, told Fox 11 news in an interview Monday that $5,000 has been raised so far, but $25,000 more is needed.

“Stand and Deliver” dramatized the story of how Garfield High School math teacher Escalante turned a group of no-hoper students into calculus champs.

Actor Edward James Olmos played the role of Escalante in the film.

(This version CORRECTS man’s age.)