I.V. families fighting cancer get help from dancing event

Christmas came early for six Imperial Valley families fighting cancer. “Tonight we were able to give the children their portion of the funds that were raised through Bailando Por Un Sueno,” Finley Elementary Principal Lupita Perez said.

Perez was a dancing star in October’s Bailando Por Un Sueno (Dancing for a Dream) fundraiser event which had six dancing couples competing. “To help them pay for the cost of gas and lodging and all the extra things that we don’t normally think about when children are going through treatment,” Perez said. Funds that totaled over thirteen thousand dollars, divided evenly among the families. “It helps to pay for things that medical and insurance don’t pay for.”

Raquel Lopez, mother of 7 year-old Alex, appreciates the help. “In my case, I had to quit my job to be with my son,” Lopez said.

Lopez said Alex and the other kids were very happy during the dancing event. Perez said the event motivates community involvement. “It brings awareness to parents and to children and to the community about childhood cancer. But it also helps us to come together as a community to become one and to support the parents, to support the families,” Perez said.

This is the third year of Bailando Por Un Sueno and organizers said they plan to continue. Perez said even though learning to dance was a challenge to her, she would do it all over again for the kids. “And especially to support the children so that they know no matter what we’re here for them,” Perez said.