Boy diagnosed with cancer and his benefactor receive special gifts
Reno, NV (Dec. 23, 2011) – One 6-year-old boy’s wish to have his own puppy this Christmas not only touched his family’s life but that of Aly Estee of Reno.
The boy, whose family has requested to remain anonymous, was diagnosed with a brain tumor when he was 4 years old. Two years later, the Northern Nevada Children’s Cancer Foundation sought to make his Christmas wish of finding just the right puppy for him.
Meanwhile, Estee, who sits on an NNCCF committee, approached executive director Debbie Strickland about adopting a family for Christmas. Estee agreed to find a suitable puppy and, after consulting with a friend who is knowledgeable about dogs, decided to identify a breed that has a calm temperament around children.
Estee, a pet owner herself, found “Bridget,” a temporary name she gave to the small black-and-white, shy Chihuahua mix and brought her home to take care of until it was time to give it to the boy. Bridget already had been spayed, but, Estee said, something went wrong with the procedure and had an infection. Estee took the puppy, now about 12 weeks old, to emergency surgery at Advanced PetCare of Northern Nevada in Sparks, where owner Bob Lucey offered to provide Bridget’s ultimate family with one year of free medical care or free boarding while the boy travels out of state for chemotherapy. Estee agreed to pay for all of Bridget’s shots to help the family out as they deal with medical expenses.
“This is the perfect puppy for a child, especially for someone like (this boy) who’s tired a lot and needs a lot of rest and downtime,” Estee said. “Bridget wants to go under the covers and curl up at your stomach and down at your feet. She’d be the perfect fit for him.”
Though Estee could not personally be there to give Bridget to the boy and his family, Estee received her own holiday gift of helping others.
“That was really special, knowing she was going to this little boy,” she said. “I feel like she’s one of those animals that is going to have such a huge impact. It was the right connection for the two of them.”
Executive director Debbie Strickland said while the holidays are always a special and important time to help out families struggling with child cancer, the need is great all year.
“We’re so pleased to be able to help ease the burdens of our patients and families through gestures like these,” Strickland said. “We’re also very grateful for our volunteers like Aly who give with open hearts to these children and bring smiles to their faces in these difficult fights against cancer.”
About NNCCF
NNCCF is Northern Nevada’s only nonprofit serving local children and their families affected by childhood cancer. NNCCF’s programs and services include the Family Assistance Fund, Courage Together Family Support Group, Kid’s Club for patients and siblings and a holiday Adopt-a-Family program. For more information, call 775-327-6275, e-mail info@NvChildrensCancer.org or visit www.NvChildrensCancer.org.