September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and Vannie Cook Clinic, a Valley organization, has been helping children get cancer free for years.
One of those children is Valeria Castillo. She has been battling leukemia for a year now.
She was diagnosed at age five but regardless of her diagnoses, she continues to have a great attitude and be a happy little girl.
The Vannie Cook Clinic has helped over 10,000 patients in the Valley.
Dr. Juan Carlos Bernini, the pediatric hematologist -oncologist says every Vannie Cook gets 600 new cases every year.
Childhood cancer is extremely rare and leukemia is the most common type of childhood cancer but the most curable, according to Dr. Bernini.
Dr. Bernini says 90 percent of children beat leukemia after chemo, and Valeria’s mother is confident her daughter will be part of that 90 percent.
“They treat her extremely well, the nurses the doctors, I’m so thankful, because if it wasn’t for them my daughter wouldn’t be here, it’s because of their hard work,” said Wendy Camacho, Valeria’s Mother.
Vannie Cook does not deny new patients treatment due to their inability to pay.
Their annual fundraising goal is $2 million dollars, and their biggest fundraiser is a fashion show being held next week.
For a list of events you can attend and how to donate, click here.
