Vol. 1, No. 2 Fall 2003 Community Support Enables Cancer Clinic To Treat All Children he need for The Vannie E. “What we are most proud of is Al Ragusin and his “dancing Cook Jr. Children’s Cancer that we have not had to turn one Spanish horses” performed at a Tand Hematology Clinic child away–even those without special benefit event for the clinic, becomes more obvious every day, insurance or the financial means which also included performances and the South Texas community to pay for services.” by the David Garcia Band, and continues to come forward to Dr. C. Kenneth Landrum Sonia Chapa’s Flamenco Dancers make sure these youngsters get the Spectacular. Many community care they need right here at home. organizations sponsored parties at Since opening in June of the clinic for the patients and their 2001, the clinic staff has taken care of So far this year, more than 60 families. more than 1,100 young patients. organizations and 40 individuals have The $17.54 Club continues to be a “What we are most proud of is that contributed to the clinic. Each gift has success in the community. Started by we have not had to turn one child away made a difference to the level of services the Oratory Academy, other schools – even those without insurance or the the clinic has been able to provide. The have now joined the cause. The club financial means to pay for services,” Houston Endowment is giving the clinic was formed in response to the gift of a said Dr. C. Kenneth Landrum, Chair of a total of $450,000 to support staff young child of his life savings– the Board of the Vannie E. Cook Jr. salaries over the next three years. The $17.54–to the clinic to help kids with Cancer Foundation. “We are committed Bassett family of Houston covered the cancer. His gift inspired others, and the to this level of service, but we would cost of outfitting a procedure room at the clinic, and suggested it be called not be successful without support from (continued on page 2) the community.” “Visiones de Esperanza.” Family Bonds in Battle elma Wahdwani, a mother of had a second round. Then, four, decided to see a plastic with cancer she recieved a Ssurgeon in May of 2000 to get stem cell transplant in an unsightly bump removed from her 2001. Finally, in March neck. He took one look and referred 2002, at her check-up, the her to a specialist. The diagnosis – physicians gave her the cancer. good news – she was in “I was shocked, I said, ‘No way.’ remission, everything I exercise, I don’t smoke, I’m a looked great. vegetarian. I asked for another Thirteen days later, her doctor,” she said. “Yes, I had been 5-year-old son was feeling a little tired, but I have four diagnosed with leukemia. Shown in this 2002 holiday card are the Wadhwani family: Sunil and Selma, with children Sarina, Sameer, Sabreena and Satesh. kids, of course I’m tired. I certainly “It was the worst day didn’t think something was wrong of my life. No matter what they had remission and Satesh be OK. Please.’ with me.” done to me, nothing could be worse. For five days, I cried, I didn’t even But the diagnosis of Non- Here I was, in remission, and the drink a drop of water during that Hodgkin’s lymphoma was confirmed. treatment was so fresh in my mind. I time.” She traveled to Houston for chemo- prayed to God, ‘Please let me trade therapy treatment. After the first places. Please let me come out of course of treatment, she relapsed and (continued on page 4) Art Program Empowers Young Patients By Allison Bassett Community Support wo years ago, Dr. David Enables Cancer Clinic To Poplack, the director of Texas Treat All Children Children’s Cancer Center, asked T (continued from page 1) me if I would consider going down the next summer to McAllen to start up the Arts in Medicine (AIM) Program at The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic. I accepted and last summer, the summer of 2002, I went to McAllen to work at the clinic. I was immediately struck by the sense of family that existed in the clinic. The children knew and loved the staff. The clinic was definitely a place where the Allison Bassett, right, with her mother, Claire children felt at home, but it was clear Bassett, accepting a gift from the children of the that any added resources would greatly clinic. Allison began the Arts In Medicine Program at the clinic during the summer of 2002. help. The Bassett family made a donation to the clinic It was so wonderful to see the to completely outfit a procedure room. change that the Arts and Medicine given special treatment, and no one is program brought to the clinic. The ignored. Often siblings can end up Al Ragusin and his “dancing Spanish clinic was already a family, but this feeling unloved or overlooked as the horses” performed at a benefit for the program made the clinic a fun place to patient becomes the center of attention. clinic. visit. It provided an outlet for the In the AIM Program, patients and students at Oratory issued a children’s creative side. So often when a siblings are viewed as equally affected challenge to other Student child is struck with cancer, he or she by cancer and equally in need of an Councils in South Texas. ends up feeling lost and powerless. outlet for their creativity. “The Vannie Cook Clinic is a Every day it seems, others are making On the more practical side, it gives special place, and anyone who decisions for them. Children often have them something to do while waiting for walks through the doors sees the to deal with having little or no say in their sibling’s appointment to be over. It tremendous care that these what happens to them. The frustration also gives tired, worn out parents a children receive,” said Dr. that this causes is even worse when the break. Between constantly worrying Landrum. “Not only is there decisions are about their life, their about the child who is the patient, trying access to the finest medical care health, the next treatment they will to entertain and pay attention to the other available, but the emotional undergo. The AIM Program provides a children, and dealing with the normal, support given to these kids and haven for the children, a place where all everyday chores and issues, parents can their families–at such a difficult the decisions are theirs. They choose break down. The AIM Program gives the time–is apparent every day.”★ what type of art they want to do, how parents a break, time to just sit, breathe, they want to do it, and whether they and maybe read a book or the a difference. The closer they can stay to even participate at all. newspaper. home the easier it is on them. As the The AIM Program is a place where The clinic is an absolutely wonderful clinic expands, it provides better and the children’s decisions are respected. place, but it desperately needs resources. better care for the children. This clinic is The AIM Program also provides a It allows the children of South Texas to truly a blessing to the children of South refuge from the reality of cancer. It is a stay at home to receive treatment. Many Texas. place for both the patients and their of the patients the clinic treats are those Allison is an 18-year-old freshman at siblings. Within the program we don’t without insurance because the clinic staff Catholic University of America in ask whether or not a child is a patient turns no one away. They provide Washington, D.C. She has been an because it doesn’t matter. There the treatment to any child in need. Each new active volunteer in programs at Texas children are simply children; they are all toy, new piece of equipment, every new Children’s Hospital and Texas on an equal playing field. No one is addition to the clinic makes Children’s Cancer Center.★ Page 2 The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic Friends of The Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Clinic We express our appreciation to the following friends of the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Clinic who have made contributions this past year. Dr. & Mrs. David Adame Mrs. Carolyn Landrum Dr. & Mrs. Roger Vitko KTEX/KBFM Mr. & Mrs. Orvis Akers Dr. and Mrs. Chevy Lee Mrs. J.H. Wallace KURV Mr. & Mrs. Guajardo Alberto Mrs. Marisol Ruis Mrs. Dorothy Walsh L & M of Texas employees Ms. Felicitas Alegria Mr. & Mrs. Fernando Mancias Dr. & Mrs. Joseph Weir Learning Express Mr. Guadalupe Alegria Jr. Mrs. Gladys Manning Organizations Luis Sottil Foundation Mrs. Elodia Anzaldua Mr. & Mrs. Scott McClain American Cancer Society Staff Mail Box Depot Ms. Shirley Arnold Mr. J.R. McClure Aptus Home Health McAllen Fire Depatment Mrs. Chris Ausborn Mrs. Geraljean McGough Books and Boards for Kids w/ McAllen Medical Center Outpt. Mr. & Mrs. Greg Bassett Mrs. Priscilla Mendez Cancer Staff Mr. Scott Beard Dr. & Mrs. Michael J. Adame Browines Feed & Seed McAlliffe Elementary Mrs. Julia Ann Bland Mr. & Mrs. Paul Moffitt Cantu Elementary MCH Homehealth Mr. & Mrs. Douglas Bready Mrs. Ann Maddox Moore Child Protective Services Staff McHi School HOSA class Mr. Juan M. Briones Mr.