Diana Magana arrived in the packing shed of B
&
amp;R Farms with her family Monday morning thinking she was
attending a makeup presentation. Instead, she walked into a
surprise celebration and a gift-giving session to honor her fight
against cancer.
Diana Magana arrived in the packing shed of B&R Farms with her family Monday morning thinking she was attending a makeup presentation. Instead, she walked into a surprise celebration and a gift-giving session to honor her fight against cancer.
“I knew they were doing something,” said Mariela Alfaro, Diana’s mother. “Mari is always surprising us.”
Mari Rossi, one of the owners of B&R Farms, coordinated a slew of donations after hearing about the Community Foundation for San Benito County’s Martin Rajkovich Fund, a new source to help critically ill or disabled children in San Benito.
“It’s a really special day for a special girl,” Rossi said as she started the presentation. “I’ve known Diana since she was a little girl – actually since she was born. We’ve been through all Diana’s illnesses, accomplishments and life in general.”
Magana’s grandparents, father, mother and uncles all work at B&R Farms.
“We want to acknowledge the strength and courage of Diana and her family who have been through so much,” Rossi said.
Magana was first diagnosed with cancer in 2007. Since then she has had two rounds of high-dose chemotherapy to combat the disease in her lungs and multiple surgeries to remove cancerous tumors. Her most recent surgery on her knee March 11 removed a tumor. After the surgery, doctors declared Magana in remission and her mother said it is the first time she’s been able to breathe a sigh of relief.
“She won’t need high-dose chemotherapy, but she is in a clinical trial,” Alfaro said. “She will be on pills to prevent its return.”
Magana and her mother teared up as Rossi talked about the family’s struggle, but the tears were mixed with smiles as Rossi started handing out the gifts. Stephanie Hicks, the director of Community Outreach and Leadership Development, coordinated the gifts with Rossi. She worked with Kristie’s Foundation, a nonprofit from Southern California that provides a “compassion program” that pays for a trip for families to build some memories with a critically ill child.
The organization donated a weeklong trip to Disneyland, California Adventure Park, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios, including hotels, breakfast, shuttles and VIP passes to the parks so the family of four doesn’t have to wait in line for rides. The Community Foundation donated $1,000 to the family to cover transportation, such as a rental car, meals and any shopping Magana would like to do while she is on the trip.
“It’s our hope to help her create many new, happy memories,” Rossi said. “She is loved and cared for by many.”
Magana also received a gift certificate from Drapoel/Teezerz for new clothes, a day of beauty from Tranquility Day Spa and Salon, and a hair and makeup makeover from DeLux Hair Salon. Kelly Martin, the secretary at B&R Farms, donated beauty and makeup books for Magana.
“She’s been so brave and fought so hard,” Martin said, before the family arrived. “She’s only 15 … They can start having happy memories.”
Magana said she was surprised at all the gifts, and she is most excited about the makeovers.
“For her, it is the beauty stuff,” Alfaro said. “That’s what she’s into.”
