AT&T; and PADRES Contra el Cancer partner to bring hope to families this holiday season

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.’”

While Alaniz was in treatment, PADRES provided transportation to the hospital—a 40-minute ride—since the family only had one car. If no one from the organization could drive them, PADRES would pay for a taxi. PADRES also put on special events for parents of children with cancer, including one called, “Café con Leche,” which provided coffee and sweetbread to the parents, and allowed them to share their experiences with other families going through similarly trying times. PADRES also sponsored bingo nights for the parents to ease the stress of being in the hospital.

Now that Alaniz’s leukemia is in remission, the entire family volunteers with PADRES at least once a month. Last Saturday, Alaniz’s family served Thanksgiving dinner at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles to parents whose children are in the cancer wing. Volunteering alongside Alaniz’s family were parents whose children survived the disease and others who were not as fortunate. Galvan said those parents lend their time to honor their child’s memory.

“Going through this teaches you to have compassion for other people and to help out other people,” Galvan said. “There is a time to receive and a time to give to others. Our time now is to give to others.”

As Galvan remembers all the things she is thankful for this year, she said PADRES is one of them because “they encourage you not to give up, that there is hope.”

To support PADRES and make stories like this one possible, AT&T; stores in Greater Los Angeles are collecting donations for PADRES through Dec. 21. AT&T; also has a $100 cash back offer for customers who purchase AT&T; Advanced TV and wireless service during the campaign. AT&T; is encouraging customers to donate a portion of their savings to PADRES.

“AT&T; continually strives to support organizations such as PADRES that address vital community needs,” said Andy Shibley, vice president and general manager of AT&T;’s Greater Los Angeles wireless market. “We are pleased to hold the campaign again this year and applaud PADRES and its supporters for championing this cause, which has given hope to so many families.”

AT&T; is deeply committed to supporting organizations and initiatives that strengthen the Hispanic community. The company’s long heritage of serving the Hispanic community stems from its commitment to diversity and inclusion at every level.

For more information on PADRES, visit https://iamhope.org.

For more information on AT&T;, visit https://www.att.com.