A Houston family donated a brand new machine to help Valley doctors fight against cancer in children, all in memory of a loved one who left too soon.
Astrid Claudia Hewitt passed away from leukemia at just 13 years old.
Her family hopes her memory can help other children survive what ended her young life.
"We know the donation is going to help a lot of children in the future and were just please to be here," Richard Armijo said.
Armijo, a Houston businessman and Astrid’s cousin, donated the $150,000 machine to the Driscoll Children's Medical Plaza in McAllen.
The brand new gamma camera allows doctors to diagnose cancer, kidney and heart problems in children.
It also shows how well treatment is going; giving doctors an edge in the battle against the disease.
It is a battle Astrid ultimately lost, but not without a fight.
“Even when she was sick, she was already helping other children in the hospital, comforting other children."
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKGBT