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Benefit Concert for Aptos Teen in Critical Condition

SANTA CRUZ, Calif. - On Wednesday night, the community of Santa Cruz is rallying together to help an Aptos teenager by hosting a benefit concert. The teen is still in the hospital, suffering from third-degree burns, after trying to put out a small fire last month.

"I feel like he's a leader among his friends, he would be the one to look out for everyone's safety," says brother Rob Kirkendall.

"Probably the most positive guy that i know," says friend Connor Childs.

These are words that describe 17-year-old Jacob Kirkendall from Aptos, who at the age of 13, lost his home after a devastating fire.

So, on June 28, it was no surpirse the Aptos High senior was quick to put out a small fire in Rio del Mar.

"I'm sure his motive was to put out the fire and save as many houses as he can," says Childs.

But the aspiring firefighter's heroic spirit soon turned to misfortune.

"A euculyptus branch fell about 70 feet and knocked a high voltage power line, somehow
he came in contact with that and sent 21 kilovolts through his body," says Childs.

Now, Jacob remains in critical condition at the Santa Clara Burn Unit in San Jose, suffering from third degree burns.

"He's been in in a pretty much induced coma-ish state for about three weeks now," says Rob.

And with growing medical bills, family and friends are now coming to his aide with a benefit
concert.

"In the next year or years of his life, it's going to be very hard for him and his life is going
to be changed incredilby, I think he needs to see how many people love him and how many
people are pulling for him," says Childs.

His brother says, the goal is to help Jacob walk out of the burn unit.  It will be a long process, and they're not sure the extent of his recovery.

The concert is tonight at Santa Cruz Bible Elevation Center. Organizers hope to raise $50,000 from the event.

For more information, go to: http://www.journeythroughfire.com/