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Holiday music and laughter filled the air at Chuey’s Mexican Restaurant as children and their families celebrated life, family and the holidays. Athletes for Education (AFE) and Friends of Scott (a Channel 10 San Diego Charity) partnered to offer gifts, great food, interaction with Chargers and fun for the children from Rady’s Children’s Hospital Oncology ward.
Armando Artiega sat stoically as he shared his son’s story. “When your child has cancer, the whole family shares the disease.” As Armando surveys the room, he says, “the spirit, they (Charger players) bring in here is great. You can see the smiles on the kids’ faces. The athletes give them something we cannot – the ability to forget about their disease and all they have been through, even if it’ s just for a little while.”
His son, Armando Rael, is only 11 years old, but has endured multiple surgeries since he was diagnosed with cancer in his lungs. The disease quickly moved to his spine at which point doctors gave Armando a very “grim prognosis.” He has already lost three ribs to the disease, had a rod implanted into his spine and bone grafts from his hip bone to strengthen his spinal cord. However, the day before, the doctors delivered the best news the Artiega family has had in years about Armando. “The doctors say that they have gotten all the cancer and Armando has a great chance of full recovery. So, today we are celebrating life and all our blessings. Today is important for my family.”
Chargers Kassim Osgood, Luis Castillo, and Cletis Gordon truly understand the importance of spending time with kids because it “gives them hope while creating laughter and smiles.” More importantly, none of these professional athletes focus their time solely on the holiday season. Through their Community Outreach programs through Athletes for Education, these role models “spread the love” and share positive messages throughout the year.
For Karen Sullivan, a nurse at Children’s Rady Hospital who adopted one of her patients, 13-year old Arturo, her son’s relationship with Luis Castillo has been such a positive influence for them. “Luis is very genuine with Arturo. He seems to really care about Arturo and his well-being. It is not that he is a professional athlete. It is the man he is and the time he spends with Arturo. Luis came to Arturo’s Bone Marrow drive in March. We saw him at a toy drive earlier this week and he is sending us to the Chargers game tomorrow. It helps lift Arturo’s spirits and that is priceless.”
Arturo was diagnosed with Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (a form of dwarfism) and recently was informed that he is in bone marrow failure. The holidays will be spent in the hospital as Arturo dislocated a disk in his back which must be surgically repaired, so this event truly serves as a way to keep him upbeat and positive.
Grinning from ear to ear, Kassim, Luis, Marcus and Cletis all leave the event knowing that they touched the lives and hearts of these children and their families. “It’s very fulfilling to know that we made a difference here today. One of the best gifts for us this Christmas. Definitely, one of the best!”
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