AFCC - Aid to Families of Children with Cancer
AFCC currently assists 23 Puerto Vallarta families who have children with cancer. Its Director, Aurora de la Torre, has been running the Program for the past 12 years. Aurora lost her own daughter, Elva Adriana, to cancer at the age of 4, so she fully understands the struggles that the parents and their children have.
She understands the every day pain and suffering that the children go through and it has made her strong, resilient and understanding of the families that need her love and support. Many moms have to pay for medical treatments as well as medications which the hospital doesn't provide. Mom's have to stay for weeks to months by the hospital while their children get their cancer treatment in Guadalajara. Without outside help and government resources this is not an easy task.
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Aurora has a team of volunteers helping with various aspects of the program including Betty, the program Coordinator, whose daughter Madeline, passed two years ago, and Jindra , the events manager, who comes from Canada and helps coordinate various activities in PV .
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AFCC receives no government funding, so it relies solely on private donors, corporate sponsors, fundraisers and community organizations, such as the International Friendship Club (IFC), DIVAC, the Rotary and others.
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LIFE SAVING - Access to Medicine, Therapy, Transportation, Food and Accommodation
Cancer diagnosis turns a child’s entire world upside down, and affects everyone in the family. Overwhelming medical expenses as well as the need for a healthy diet and other supports can add an enormous amount of financial stress on families. Most of the families are single moms, who cannot work full time due to demands of caring for their sick child along with their other children. Frequent trips to the hospital in Guadalajara, long term hospitalizations and home rest, require that at least one parent be available at all times.
AFCC assists families by purchasing medicine and providing funding for bus fare and accommodation in Guadalajara. AFCC also runs a rehabilitation clinic with an Oxygenated Water Therapy Program along with counselling and other rehabilitation services.
Like Charlie, whose parents are both blind. Charlie lost one eye to cancer as a child, now he lost one leg and a lung. He is in active treatment with regular trips to Guadalajara on a monthly basis, so his needs are very diverse.
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NOURISHMENT & SUSTAINABILITY - Food Program, Hygiene Supplies, Mental Health Support, Fitness & More
The volunteers at AFCC make sure that all the families get as much help as possible to enable them to lead a somewhat normal and healthy life. Fresh fruits and vegetables are provided on a regular basis, along with Ensure and other dietary needs specific to each child. Fitness programs are encouraged and various activities such as yoga classes, swimming activities and English classes are organized. Various counselling and therapy is provided for the families, including bereavement counselling and funeral services.
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Necessary supplies such as shoes, clothing, school supplies and Hygiene products are provided. Christmas and birthday events are put on by volunteers, so the children can also celebrate and have some fun.
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EDUCATION & SUPPORT
Tuition, Scholarships, Uniforms and Supplies
AFCC provides a scholarship program to support children with all their educational needs. Some children have learning challenges and need special schooling, some cannot attend classes so need online support and others are continuing with post secondary education. Others are excelling in art, sports and other special skills but cannot move forward without our assistance .
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SPONSORSHIP - Sponsor a child with a minimum donation of $100 US to go towards schooling, clothing, medicine and other direct needs.
Sponsors are an integral part of the program, and are necessary to support the existence of AFCC. Sponsors provide the core funding for our program as well as assisting with a variety of individual needs. Sponsors often participate in social events , ranging from fundraising to various activities for the families. Some provide scholarships to children that are attending school and university. In some cases, funds are used to buy wheelchairs, furniture, appliances and other necessities for the home. Our Christmas Sponsorship program allows donors to sponsor a specific family and help them get whatever they most need.
We believe that together, we can give children a fighting chance against cancer, and give them a new opportunity at life. Located in Puerto Vallarta, AFCC has living proof of many children that are winning the battle:
Montse lost her eye sight to cancer as a young child, but she will not let cancer beat her down. She is currently attending university as an honor student, where she is studying to be a physiotherapist. Montse is also an athlete who has won many gold medals in swimming, track and bicycle. She is competing in different states in Mexico, South America and Chili. In 2023 she also represented Mexico in a Special Olympics track and field meet in Colombia.
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Vianey is in her last year of University studying to be a Pediatrician. She is currently in remission from the cancer she suffered as a teenager in 2016. Vianey lost her little sister to cancer so she understands what the other families are going through and has been a great help to the program.
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Haidee is in remission and is studying to be a chef. She assists with various tasks and bakes goodies for birthdays and other events.
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Carlos is also in remission and is studying to be an artist. He is supporting his family with the paintings that he creates and sells.
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Leshli Estrella lost her eye sight in 2023 but has not given up her dream of being a baker. We gave her a small oven for Xmas and she is learning brail and how to bake.
There are many other children who have beat the odds that we could tell you about, but there are also those children who sadly didn't make it. We always remember those children and keep them in our hearts, while fighting for those that are still here with us.
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Hopefully with your help we will continue to give Children a fighting chance at life.​