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A Community Comes Together
to Walk for Alina
By David Bowling
Any parent knows how frightening it is when your child
is sick. It this normal? Could it be serious? What a relief you feel when they’re
back to laughing and playing as usual. But there’s a reason we worry. Sometimes,
for reasons we’ll never understand, horrible things happen to innocent children. In December of 2004
Frank and Maria Galletta’s worst nightmare came true. Two days before her fourth birthday their daughter Alina was diagnosed
with Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer of the sympathetic nervous
system.
Frank and Maria set out to find the best care possible. Thankfully their
tireless efforts and dedication to their little girl paid off. Their research led them to Sloan-Kettering
in NYC. One year later after six grueling treatments Alina was in remission. For the
next 4 years she was able to live a normal healthy life. I came to know her and the Galletta family when
her and my nephew became friends.
But in January 2010 the
nightmare was back. Back to New York, back for more treatments, and back to hoping this dreadful disease could
be fought back into remission.
At this time there is no
cure, but there are survivors. Because this is a rare form of cancer it gets very little publicity.
Alina’s friends and family are trying to change that. The American Cancer Society raises about 400
million dollars yearly. .7% will benefit childhood cancer research. NONE will go to Nueroblastoma. There
is no government funded research.
An estimated 500 people gathered at Olsen Middle School
in Dania Beach Saturday, May 22, 2010 to raise money and awareness for this rare form of cancer affecting one of its young
residents. A two mile walk and a silent auction raised over $32,000..
Any company that donates a minimum of $200 will receive one month of free advertising in Miami Life Magazine.com
Once the donation is made send your ad to dbowling@miamilifemagazine.com.
