Mom of daughter battling cancer gets Christmas surprise
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Imagine being a single mom of three young children, with one battling stage 4 brain cancer.
This is the heartbreaking reality for one local woman. But her holiday season just got brighter with the help of a popular radio station. WZPL holds a 12 Trees of Christmas contest, and Christina Juarez was chosen this year to win a Christmas tree, decorations and a $500 gift card.
Hidden in Francis Bellamy Preschool’s media room, the Smiley Morning Show’s Santa Smiley and his helpers waited for Juarez to arrive. She looked shocked when she arrived, and then the emotions set in.
“It’s been very hard for me and for my daughter being sick,” she cried.
Her 11-year old daughter, Anadalay, has a glioblastoma tumor on her brain. Anadalay has been battling cancer for four years. She is currently at Riley Children’s Hospital.
“She’s doing great. She’s walking right now. She’s in rehab. She’s doing therapy. I think she’s doing beautiful,” said Juarez.
Anadalay’s Christmas wish was simple: She wanted a Christmas tree. Still, her mom couldn’t provide it.
“She was asking for a tree, but I’m a single mom, so I can’t afford one right now,” Juarez said.
Juarez also has a 4-year-old son and a 13-year-old daughter.
“This mother is doing everything she can to provide for her family and make it as normal as possible for her other two children,” said Ashley Reed, a social worker for Francis Bellamy, an IPS school.
Reed nominated Juarez for the giveaway.
“She has no family in the area. So it’s just her to take care of these little ones,” Reed said.
And now, it’s Christina’s turn to be taken care of.
“I do appreciate everybody, what they did for my kids for Christmas,” said Juarez.
Francis Bellamy got involved because Juarez’s 4-year old attends the school.
Reed also takes weekly meals to the family.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help out the family.