Tessa's Story

The first few days a Baca Ortiz were a bit difficult for me, I would
walk awkwardly from room to room, arms laden with puzzles and crayons
only to find that many of the children only wanted to rest or watch
television. Those that did play with me did so silently, with few
smiles. I began to dread my afternoons in the hospital, I thought
that not only was I no help, but that I was a nuisance to everyone;
doctors, nurses, parents, and the kids themselves. It wasn’t until I
revisited a room where I had played with a boy the previous day that
my attitude completely changed. The moment I entered the little boy
sat straight up, waving enthusiastically at me with the biggest smile
on his face, and I knew then that what we do with the foundation
really does make a difference in these children’s lives, even if we
can’t see it at first.
But the Fundación doesn’t just provide emotional support for the kids
and their families; they’re there to help with the costs related to
treatment as well. Children especially have a good chance of
surviving leukemia, but only if they receive the necessary treatment.
By giving just a little you can help the kids get healthy while
keeping smiles on all their faces.
-Tessa Sifferman