Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – A child diagnosed with cancer impacts an entire family. Not only does a cancer diagnosis turn a child’s entire world upside down, but overwhelming medical expenses can add an enormous amount of financial stress on families with minimal income.
Aid to Families of Children With Cancer (AFCC) is an organization that supports families who have a child diagnosed with cancer in the Puerto Vallarta region. The organization receives no government funding so relies solely on donations from private donors, community organizations, and fundraisers.
The pandemic has made this past 18 months especially difficult for these families but, thanks to all of you, the AFCC continues to make a difference. Here’s the latest news from the AFCC:
We want to share some happy news from Aid to Families of Children with Cancer – all of the families were safe from hurricane Nora and just had the same affects other residents had, such as fallen tree limbs and muddy streets. We are just relieved that everyone was safe!
News that brought huge smiles to our faces – but an even bigger smile to Haidee’s face was starting culinary school. It’s been a dream of hers to become a chef for some time. Starting school meant having a long list of required cooking utensils in addition to uniforms and special shoes.
Haidee had been selling bread in her neighborhood but was only able to save a few pesos, not nearly enough to cover everything she needs. Two donors felt that she should be given every opportunity to realize her dream so, within a week, they had purchased everything she needed. Haidee was so thrilled, especially with her professional knife kit.
It’s not nearly often enough that we get to share happy news. Some of the children are still going to the hospital in Guadalajara for treatments several times a month. Alanna goes two or three times a month. Others are also keeping up their treatment schedules while also trying to keep up with their school work.
With the high number of COVID cases, the families aren’t meeting up as a group to get their despensas (bags of food and other daily necessities) because we need to keep everyone safe. But they are still getting their normal monthly despensas and donations to help with their medical treatments so our objective of making a difference in these families’ lives is still being met.
Please help us continue our support to each of the families by donating through GoGetFunding.com. If you would like your donation to go to a specific family or child, please put this in the comments field. Also, share our information with your family and friends. Every donation helps!
Written by Aid to Families of Children With Cancer volunteer extraordinaire, Glenda Bland.