Green ribbons placed around Orcutt to support local teenager fighting cancer

ORCUTT, Calif. -- Green ribbons can be seen wrapped around street signs and trees throughout several areas of Orcutt.

The colorful decorations went up a few days ago to show support for Noah Slocum, a 15-year-old currently fighting cancer.

Green is the Orcutt Academy student's favorite color.

"When I heard, it just seemed to hit home," said 13-year-old Sophia Rubalcava, who came up with the idea. "I thought I would show that I care for my friend and her brother about doing something."

Rubalcava is a friend of one of Slocum's younger sisters.

She said the inspiration for the ribbon project came from the purple ribbons that were put up throughout Orcutt to support Lexi Brown a few years earlier.

Brown became well known on the Central Coast during her battle with cancer. The 12-year-old Orcutt girl died in 2016.

"I had seen the purple ribbons for Lexi and I just wanted their family to know that everybody is keeping them in our thoughts and we are keeping them in our prayers," said Rubalcava. "I wanted them to know that it's just not just them worrying about him. I wanted them to know that everybody cares about him too."

Hannah Rubalcava, Sophia's mother, said the ribbons are an example of the Orcutt community providing assistance to a local family in need.

"I love living here in Orcutt because I feel like this community really rallies around people when they need support," said Hannah Rubalcava. "Unfortunately, there's been several cases like this recently of kids who have cancer, and this community always comes together and sends support, and love and prayers, and whatever assistance we can to the families that need it."

Noah is currently going through treatment in Santa Barbara.

His family said they believe their faith will help heal Noah.

Green ribbons can also be seen all around the Orcutt Academy campus, where Noah attends school.

"The green ribbons are really a reminder that Noah Slocum is one of our own students here at Orcutt Academy," said student Alyssa Carrier. "It's really important. Noah is going through such a hard time right. For him to see that Orcutt Academy is thinking about him, we miss him, we love him and to have that feeling is really important to him and we're super glad that we can give him that support."

Part of the support he is receiving from the school is a student-led benefit fundraiser that is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8 at Pioneer Park.

"All these clubs are coming together and pretty much every member of each club is selling tickets," said student Dante Surra. "I'm really glad to see everyone at the school really trying to come together and help someone."

The event will run from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and feature a tri-tip sandwich meal, as well as live music and a free 3K run.

Tickets for the barbecue cost $10.

For more information, call Orcutt Academy at (805) 938-8550.