UFC's Brandon Vera, AFE and Ysabel's Pink Angels visit Kaiser Hospital's Pediatric Oncology Floor in San Diego
September 29, 2009

On Tuesday September 29, UFC Fighter Brandon Vera his wife Kerry & Ysabel's Pink Angel’s founder Ysabel Giacalone visited the pediatric floor at Kaiser Hospital. We delivered stuffed animals and remote control cars to the kids. It was amazing to see all the kids laugh and smile. 

Here is a story received from a mom of one of the girls in the hospital: 

My daughter is Ashlee Shoemaker. Ashlee was recently at Kaiser hospital for 10 days. She was wearing a charger tee & flannel shorts and excited to see Brandon. "My mom mentioned how tall he is."

He was so kind to give her a big stuffed bunny.... she couldn't wait to tell her younger brother...he likes watching "fighting"...Brandon ended up coming back to Ashlee's room 2 more times. (Brandon returned to deliver an autographed photo which had been taken and printed earlier in the day).

She got to talk to Steve Gregory and then Luis Castillo.... she had the BIGGEST smile on her face, my mom said. (AFE's Tony Castro faciliated phone calls to Steve Gregory and Luis Castillo to Ashlee). As soon as she mentioned the Pink Angel’s to me...I googled it to find out who you are & what you do. I cried reading Ysabel's story...but admire her for being such a fighter. I noticed all the athlete's on your team doing such a wonderful thing for kids in San Diego..... While we were there, it seemed like our "new" nightmare was never going to end. We thought Ashlee was sick from a bad case of Strep throat...but it's turned to be far worse. Still looking into 3 different disease's as her diagnosis. Although she is 17, she is still my baby girl...She is a senior at Poway High & getting ready to start life as an adult soon... she has SO many dreams ahead of her.... We will fight the disease!! 

Brandon, Steve, & Luis... Thank you for taking the time to do such wonderful things. It sure brightened Ashlee's day 

God Bless,
Tamara Barnard
Ashlee's Mom

Kaiser Hospital's Pediatric Oncology Floor in San Diego