Hailey Abrego is a 3-year-old Morgan Hill resident who is
undergoing extensive and sometimes exhausting treatment for a brain
tumor.
Hailey Abrego is a 3-year-old Morgan Hill resident who is undergoing extensive and sometimes exhausting treatment for a brain tumor. Mothers of Hailey’s peers are asking the community to help the patient and her family by raising money to ease the financial burden of the child’s staggering medical bills.
On Oct. 25, Las Madres Morgan Hill will conduct a yard sale in the parking lot on the corner of Second Street and Del Monte Avenue. The group is currently seeking donations of gently used items to be sold at the yard sale. To donate items and arrange pick-up contact
li*******@ho*****.com
.
Hailey is undergoing inpatient chemotherapy treatment at Kaiser Hospital for the aggressive brain tumor she was diagnosed with in June. She will stay at the hospital for one week per month while receiving treatment the next six months, according to her grandmother Mercedes Perez.
Even though Hailey doesn’t have much of an appetite due to the treatment and eats through a tube, she still smiles and, when she has enough energy, enjoys playing with her big sister.
“She’s been happy, her spirits are high, and for the most part she’s feeling good,” said Hailey’s neighbor Lilli Schmidbauer, a Las Madres member and mother of an 18-month-old son. Her family has a close relationship with Hailey’s family.
Following surgery this summer to remove the tumor, Hailey received radiation treatment throughout July and August to halt the spread of the disease. An MRI in September showed no evidence of disease, according to a Web site logging her progress.
After six months of chemotherapy, Hailey will be done with treatment provided there is still no evidence of disease.
Las Madres Morgan Hill is a nonprofit play group that brings children as old as 4, and their mothers and caregivers, together to socialize, Jennifer Agacanyan of Las Madres Morgan Hill said. The group, which consists of about 200 children and their guardians, conducts an annual fundraiser in support of a specific cause within the community.
This year, the group chose to raise funds to assist with Hailey’s treatment, at Schmidbauer’s suggestion.
“We were touched by (Hailey’s) family, and heartbroken for them that their child was suddenly diagnosed with brain cancer, and at the thought that she was just 3 years old and an adorable little girl,” Agacanyan said. “If it was one of our kids we’d do anything possible to try to help them.”
Hailey’s grandmother noted the family’s appreciation of Las Madres’ interest and efforts.
“I’m so grateful for (Las Madres’) support and Lilli’s friendship through this difficult journey,” Perez said. “Las Madres is such a wonderful organization in our community and the way they have brought families together is very enlightening.”
All the proceeds from the Oct. 25 fundraiser will go to Hailey’s family, according to Agacanyan.
Any items that are still useful can be donated, including clothing, furniture, appliance, and electronics equipment. Pick-up can be arranged for larger items. Agacanyan said the fundraiser will also include a bake sale.
“Las Madres is proud to rally our close-knit Morgan Hill community around this beautiful little girl and her loving family,” added Schmidbauer.
For more information, visit http://www.mhlasmadres.org.
