UPDATE: The Holiday Adopt-a-Family program has been extended until Nov 16.
ORIGINAL STORY
This is your last chance to give a holiday experience to families of children fighting a daily battle against disease.
The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation's "Holiday Adopt-a-Family" program ends Nov. 8.
14-year-old Damon Chavez suffered from a rare form of bone cancer. "I was in shock. I didn't think that I was going to have this in my life... When I was in the hospital I didn't know what was going on I was asleep most of the time so I just wake up for a couple of minutes and fall back asleep."
His family was right there with him every step of the way.
"We stayed together. Always had hope. Stayed positive. Told him to not give up," says brother, Jose.
But cancer took its toll on the family mentally, emotionally, and financially.
"Obviously we were all like kinda down," says sister Alandra.
But mom Blanca Pelayo says the Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation was there to help.
They're one of the families who benefited from the Holiday Adopt-a-Family program last year and you can help them again.
The foundation adopts out more than 60 families to individuals and companies within the community who want to deliver gifts to a family in need.
"When Christmas came and you have something to give the kids to open the presents for Christmas, it's very very relaxing," says Pelayo.
President and CEO, Jeff Fordon says over 50 percent of the families they serve are in financial crisis. Most parents do not have the funds for holiday celebrations. The holiday adopt a daily program provides a much needed relief.
"I tell people all the time don't pass this up because it will change your life," says Gordon.
To adopt a family in need and for additional information about NVCCF and details regarding the “Holiday Adopt-A-Family” Program, please call 702.735.8434, visit www.nvccf.org for event’s donor guidelines. NVCCF is located at 3711 E. Sunset Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89120.
