(Contributed photo)
PALO ALTO — The seventh annual Summer Scamper event will be held on Sunday at the Stanford University campus, with the intent to raise money for Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital and child health care programs at Stanford University School of Medicine.
This year’s Patient Hero Family story is Yalissa’s, a Watsonville girl who died at age 2 from a disease called HLH (Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis). HLH is a rare, life-threatening, immunodeficiency, cancer-like disease, that “most doctors do not know about the disease, therefore it is often diagnosed when it is too late,” said Lladira Reyna, Yalissa’s mother.
“We agreed to let doctors keep samples of Yali’s blood to continue with studies and research,” Reyna said.
Since Yali’s passing in 2014 her family has been attending the Summer Scamper walk/run event.
“We are wearing T-shirts with her picture and ‘#TeamYali,’” Reyna said.
Yalissa’s family honors her by wearing the color purple like her favorite show, “Dora the Explorer.”
“She was my little explorer,” Reyna said.
Yalissa’s family is one of many who have lost a child to cancer, that come together to raise money for cancer awareness, and share their similar stories.
“It feels like you are doing your part in helping the hospital to raise money to keep helping other children who are sick and in need,” Reyna said.
To donate, visit www.summerscamper.org.
