September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we have an update today from one of our families. Naima turned 10 in June. She also recently celebrated seven years of remission.
When Naima was just three years old, Valley Children’s specialists diagnosed her with a rhabdoid tumor of the kidney, a rare and aggressive cancer that affects fewer than 25 American children a year. She underwent 12 sessions of radiation and 12 cycles of chemotherapy at Valley Children’s Hospital.
Her mom, Jessica, says music and dance kept her daughter smiling during treatment. So did the team of doctors and staff in our Pediatric Cancer & Blood Disorders Center.
Naima started fifth grade a few weeks ago. Her favorite subjects are science and English. She also received a first place award at the Merced County Office of Education’s Writing Festival for her short story about opening her own dance studio. She’s also excited to become a big sister next year.
Years later, Naima’s family remains grateful for the care their daughter received.
“We had no doubt that Valley Children’s was the best hospital to go to,” Jessica said. “The staff and doctors were all amazing. They didn’t treat us like a patient family. They treated us like their own family.”