By: Sharon Aron Baron

Friends of Carmen Schentrup, organized a benefit concert last week in Parkland to raise money for ALS research.

Carmen, 16, was one of 17 victims killed by a school shooter at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14.  Her parents April and Phil, who were at the concert, established the Carmen Schentrup ALS Research Fund because they believed Carmen would one day become a leading medical researcher and discover a cure for ALS.  Carmen was inspired to do something about the disease after her great-aunt suffered, and later died of it.  Her younger sister Evelyn, who is also a student at the high school, was also in attendance.

Friends organized the concert which featured award-winning a cappella group Backtrack who performed songs including “My Girl”, “Roar” and “Over the Rainbow”.

The ALS Foundation reported earlier in the month, the Carmen Schentrup ALS Research Fund had grown by more than 10 times in less than a week. “Carmen’s initial gift of $5,628.84 – her entire life savings – has grown to over $60,000, thanks to hundreds of generous donations from people who share Carmen’s dream of a world without ALS.”

April Schentrup said Carmen’s friends and BackTrack raised over $1,700 for the fund.