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Join us for a celebration of HOPE.

Get ready for a magical evening at our You’ve Got a Friend in Me Gala!

Join us and hundreds of our supporters to help us honor and raise funds for local children fighting cancer.

Expect live performances, adult beverages, a seated dinner, silent and live auctions, and a night of dancing! Don’t miss out on this magical evening!

For more information, contact Ray Sanchez at:

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    Bella’s Story

    “Our Bella is with Jesus and – through His Spirit – Jesus is in us, so there is a direct connection between Bella and us. Until we see Bella in Heaven, we are connected with her through the Holy Spirit.”

    December 2016
    Bella Serena Sanchez

    Bellaboo, as we would call her, came into the world on a chilly December day, healthy and flawless. She was the youngest and only girl in the family, and she filled their lives with so much happiness.

    Diagnosis Day

    On August 17, 2017, at just 7 months old, Bella's parents rushed her to their local emergency hospital in Laredo, TX, suspecting dehydration and a common cold. After several tests and bloodwork, the emergency room doctor informed the parents that Bella needed to be transferred to a specialized pediatric oncology hospital in San Antonio, TX, immediately. Upon their arrival at Methodist Children's Hospital, the pediatric oncology specialists confirmed the diagnosis and delivered the heartbreaking news to Bella's parents: their daughter had Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

    Treatment
    Bella underwent an inpatient treatment that lasted approximately 9 months, encompassing multiple cycles of chemotherapy, lumbar puncture procedures, blood transfusions, and numerous other medications. She spent the majority of her holidays at the hospital, including her first and second birthdays. During this time, Bella took her first steps, learned new words, and mastered everything expected of a toddler in a hospital setting. Methodist Children's Hospital served as her sanctuary, and the nurses and medical staff quickly became like family to her. Hospital life became Bella's new normal.
    Happy Day
    Bella's chemotherapy treatment was successful, as bone marrow biopsies revealed no signs of leukemia. She was then considered to be in remission and was able to return home.
    Sad Day
    After five months of enjoying her life at home, undergoing treatment, and attending weekly visits with her oncologist for check-ups, the parents once again received heartbreaking news: the leukemia had returned. This time, the treatment protocol included chemotherapy, and Bella now needed a bone marrow transplant.
    The Waiting
    Bella's medical team consulted the national bone marrow registry to search for a suitable donor match. After an extensive search, they identified five potential donors. Bella underwent intensive treatment to prepare her for the transplant. Unfortunately, she never went into remission, which meant that a bone marrow transplant was not possible.
    Car-T Therapy
    Unfortunately, the leukemia kept recurring, with relapses following one another. There was nothing more that the doctors at Methodist could offer her. We reached out to several hospitals across Texas and even in Tennessee. Bella ultimately ended up going to Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, TX, to try the last available treatment option.
    March 22, 2019
    Bella coded two days after her arrival at Texas Children's Hospital. The medical staff successfully resuscitated her and managed to stabilize her condition. Following this, she was moved to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), where she received intensive sedation. During this period, medical professionals addressed several infections she contracted and attempted to gather cells for the original treatment Bella was undergoing.
    April 5, 2019
    Two weeks later, the parents received the devastating news that the cells collected were insufficient. The leukemia had progressed significantly, becoming more aggressive, to the point where Bella's organs began to fail.
    April 8, 2019
    Bella was airlifted back "home". The parents made the decision to return her to Methodist to spend her remaining moments close to family.
    April 9, 2019
    The gates of Heaven opened, and beautiful Bella stepped into the kingdom of God. She had gained her angel wings at the age of two.
    Despite enduring pain and suffering, Bella never gave up. Throughout her battle, she consistently maintained her big smile, embodying the affectionate, ambitious, and joyful nature of a little girl. She was always spreading love and kindness to everyone around her. Bella has been an inspiration to many, teaching us the true definition of faith in Christ.
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