When she was just 2 years old, her parents learned that Isabella Santos had a rare pediatric cancer called neuroblastoma. This terrible disease has a survival rate of just 40 percent. For five years adorable Isabella fought bravely, but on June 28, 2012, at just 7 years old, she surrendered.
Isabella’s parents did everything right, yet they ran out of options to save their little girl because pediatric cancer research is tragically underfunded. Isabella’s parents established The Isabella Santos Foundation to honor their daughter and to carry on her mission of finding a cure for neuroblastoma.
Isabella had three wishes: to beat cancer, to grow hair and to live her dreams. This disease cut her dreams short. With your help, the organization hopes to fund the cure to ensure other children battling pediatric cancer have the time to realize their dreams.
New drugs and therapies that can make dramatic advancements toward a cure are on the horizon. That cure did not arrive in time for Isabella, but the foundation wants to help ensure other families do not have to endure this horrific loss. Nearly 80 percent of funds raised by The Isabella Santos Foundation support neuroblastoma research. They also support the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Central and Western North Carolina, Levine Children’s Hospital, and other local children’s charities that benefited Isabella throughout her battle. Please honor Isabella’s wish by participating in the flagship event, the sixth annual 5K for Kids Cancer, in Charlotte on Sept. 21. Together we can help other children to “Beat cancer, grow hair and live their dreams.”
For more information, please visit www.isabellasantosfoundation.com, fb.com/isabellasantosfoundation.com, or Twitter: @isabellasantosfoundation.
