Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California Brings Smiles to Families Affected by Cancer

Hundreds of children opened presents, met Santa Claus and made their own crafts at The Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California’s (CCFSC) 32nd Annual Christmas Celebration at the Loma Linda Drayson Center on Dec. 8. “The purpose [of the event] is to brighten the life of a child with cancer,” said CCFSC Executive Director Armida Kersey. Kersey shared that over 700 families are registered with the organization and that 471 kids, which includes children with cancer and their siblings, were registered to come to the Christmas celebration. Their ages ranged from birth to 19 years old. Kersey said that the kids who attend are primarily from Loma Linda Children’s Hospital but there are a few from Los Angeles and Orange County. “It gets bigger and bigger every year, which is not good news because more children are having a difficult time,” she said. “You don’t have to have any kind of economic problem to have a child with cancer. Any child could be diagnosed with cancer. Everybody assumes that it’s gonna be someone else’s kid until it happens to them. So it’s a reality.” The evening’s activities included a performance by Mariachi Trompetas de Mexico, followed by a visit from Santa Claus. Every child that attended the event received a gift. Pizza and dessert were also provided for the families to enjoy. Around the perimeter of the room, 18 local businesses and organizations, such as Alexis Victoria Salon & Spa, Riverside Church of Christ, and Inland Center Mall, hosted arts and crafts tables. The California Correctional Peace Officers Association was a major sponsor for the event. “They bring all their own projects,” said Kersey. “That’s the whole community — that’s almost 20 groups that really think this is important, and they do it out of the goodness of their hearts. They get no money for it. They do it for themselves.” The Christmas Celebration is just one of many programs CCFSC puts on throughout the year. There are events for Easter and Halloween, summer picnics, a summer camp and weekly support activities for parents of children with cancer. Kersey said the organization gives out gifts every week. “And I think that’s important, because kids get diagnosed after Christmas," she said. "So if you have a child who’s diagnosed after Christmas, you don’t want to say, 'oh, that’s too bad.' We say, 'we’re there every week for you after Christmas,' so that your child will get a gift every week that they’re in the hospital.” [END] Word Count: 412 Christmas Wonderland for Children with Cancer Sunday, Dec. 8 1 p.m. - 5 p.m. Loma Linda Drayson Center, 25040 Stewart St., Loma Linda, CA 92354 READ ON FOR MORE INFO: The Loma Linda Drayson Center (25040 Stewart Street Loma Linda 92354) will be transformed into a Winter Wonderland for Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California’s (CCFSC) 32nd Annual Christmas Celebration presented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. The celebration is for children with cancer and their families who are registered with Childhood Cancer Foundation on Sunday, December 8, 2013 from 1:00-5:00pm. The annual celebration is provided by Childhood Cancer Foundation with the desire to provide families who are battling cancer the opportunity to enjoy the holidays in a safe environment. More than 450 children and their parents have pre-registered to enjoy of the days holiday celebration. As the children arrive they are surrounded with craft tables and activities to choose from. Christmas music will fill the gym with holiday cheer. Families will enjoy pizza that will be donated from Domino’s Pizza in Redlands and other goodies while listening to an interactive music program. Christmas Musical entertainment will be provided by the Mariachi Trompetas de Mexico at 2:00pm. One of the most important guests of the party, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus accompanied by their elves, will arrive at 3:00pm to visit with each child. Each child will receive a wrapped gift from Santa and have a family photo taken with Santa. The Christmas Celebration is presented by the California Correctional Peace Officers Association. Sponsors include: San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Foundation, The Gas Company, Women of the Moose – Big Bear #0359 and the Drayson Center. CCFSC with the help of over 200 volunteers will provide a fun-filled, stress free day for all children with cancer and their siblings. More information about CCFSC can be found online at the CCFSC website, www.ccfsocal.org. CCFSC is also available via phone (909) 558-3419 or email, kids@ccfsocal.org. Receiving non-profit status in September of 1981, Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California, Inc. (CCFSC) is now more than 700 families strong committed to serving children with cancer and their families throughout Southern California emotionally, financially, educationally and with emergency assistance. CCFSC works directly with the families to identify their need for support. Communication with another family experiencing this devastating disease is very beneficial and CCFSC family events and activities provide this support. Contact Information: Childhood Cancer Foundation of Southern California 11155 Mt. View Ave. Suite 105, Loma Linda, CA 92354 (909) 558-3419 www.ccfsocal.org