AT&T and PADRES Contra el Cancer partner to bring hope to families this holiday season
AT&T stores in New Port and Costa Mesa collecting donations for PADRES through Dec. 21
When Bertha Galvan of Los Angeles noticed her son, Jonathan Alaniz, had flu-like symptoms that did not subside, she took him immediately to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. She never imagined that after preliminary tests, the doctors would tell her that her son had leukemia.
"The next thing you know, they tell you your son has cancer. Your world crumbles at that moment," Galvan said. "Never would I have thought that I would be faced with that challenge."
Over the next three years, Alaniz underwent intense treatment to get rid of the disease, but he relapsed close to the end of treatment. His cancer became more aggressive and took root in his spinal fluid and brain. It turned out that Alaniz was allergic to some of the chemotherapy drugs and his only option was a bone marrow transplant.
Doctors found a donor for Alaniz within two months—almost a perfect match. On Aug. 1, 2005, Alaniz received his transplant and after four and a half months in the hospital, he went home. Today—three years later—his cancer is in remission and he is hard at work as a 19-year-old Citrus Community College sophomore.
"I think this experience has made him stronger and made us stronger and brought us closer," Galvan said.
During those weeks, months and sleepless nights in the hospital, however, Galvan got involved with PADRES Contra el Cáncer, an organization committed to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer and their families.
"I was so thankful and so impressed," Galvan said. "I remember going back to the room and telling my son, 'Mijo, they're so nice! God-willing, one day we're going to come back and help the people that are here.'"
