By Jacob Dimond
jake@yelmonline.com
Over 250 fans of Defy Wrestling and supporters of 10-year-old Yelm girl Cataleya Castanon in her fight against neurofibromatosis (NF) raised money and watched a six-match professional wrestling show on Saturday, July 22, at the Eatonville Eagles Memorial Field. Immediately following the show’s main event, fans learned the show raised $15,000 to send Cataleya and her family to Paris.
Cataleya has been battling NF for the majority of her life, as she was diagnosed with the disorder when she was 1. NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can result in blindness, bone abnormalities, deafness, disfigurement, learning disabilities, cancer and death.
At Defy’s Showdown at the Mountain, Cataleya said it meant a lot to see over 250 people gather in support of her.
“I’ve really liked the show, and I really appreciate that everyone is doing this for me,” Cataleya said. “Not only do I want to see Paris, but I want to make sure my parents see Paris too.”
Cataleya’s dream of visiting Paris began when she was a few months into chemotherapy, while she was watching a Disney+ cartoon called Fancy Nancy.
“[The character’s] dream was to go to Paris, and she drew pictures of the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre and the Mona Lisa,” Cataleya said. “After seeing that, I told my mom and dad, I want to go to Paris. My mom asked me when I wanted to go and I told her after chemo.”
Several weeks after discovering her love of Paris, Cataleya’s parents bought her a Paris-themed nightlight and told her they’d take her to Paris at the conclusion of her chemotherapy.
“Chemo has been going on for three years now, but next year we’re going to Paris,” Cataleya said. “I want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Mona Lisa and I want to buy myself a paint set and beret. If I have enough money I want to buy my mom a ring and my dad a necklace.”
Throughout her battle with NF, Cataleya has kept a positive outlook on life with a smile across her face. She said her family’s encouragement and support have helped her stay positive and excited for life.
“My family has always told me that, whatever happens, I’ll have family by my side, and God will always take care of me,” she said. “I keep that in my heart and believe that He’ll help me in life, help protect me and love me, and help me get better. Keep being brave, whatever you’re going through. Remember that your family is by your side, and that God loves you and has you in His heart.”
Hal Smith, with the Eatonville Eagles, said the event went better than he could’ve imagined.
“It was out of this world,” Smith said after the event. “The whole experience, we had a lot of volunteers stepping up, and going above and beyond. With the crowd itself, I was shocked at how little there was of litter. People were very respectful of our facility. The DEFY group itself, from Jim and Matt to the wrestlers, they were so friendly and accommodating.”
Smith said people came as far as Marysville and Portland to watch, and wrestlers came from Vancouver, Tennessee and other places across the country.
“The support I received from DEFY goes above and beyond,” he said. “I’ve never done anything like this in my life, let alone a wrestling event for the community outdoors. Jim Perry and Matt Farmer walked me through it hand in hand, and when I ran into issues, they were there to help me out. The event showed that, for a cause, people will show up. At an event like this, in a small community, it means everything.”
Following the event, Smith thanked all of the numerous volunteers who helped at the event.
“A huge thank you has to go to all the volunteers that stepped up to make it what it was. Without them, it doesn’t happen,” Smith said. “From top to bottom, everyone that was there from the talent, to the volunteers, to security, it was a great event. It wouldn’t have been possible without all of them.”
The evening was all about Cataleya, between the crowd chanting her name while she was in the ring or the Castanon family receiving a standing ovation after they were presented the $15,000 check. Smith said Cataleya deserves all the love she received at the event.
“Cataleya is a special girl,” Smith said. “She uses her condition as a superpower, and it’s an inspiring story. She’s a very important girl, and she’s going to go far in life. I’m so emotional at the fact that I was part of this. It was great.”
