The Sunshine Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to children with cancer. Established in 1982, we are committed to providing positive group activities and emotional support for young cancer patients. The Sunshine Kids provides a variety of programs and events, free of charge, for Kids who are receiving cancer treatments in hospitals across North America. To learn more please visit our website at www.sunshinekids.org.
Manny
- Age: 11 years old
- Hometown: Katy, TX
- Favorite SSK Event: “Sunshine Kids Gingerbread Making and Holiday Event at the Sunshine Kids House”
- Favorite part about being a Sunshine Kid: "Being celebrated as a cancer survivor and the love that continues to be shown towards him and his family"
"Emmanuel is an 11-year-old boy who was born with Down Syndrome. He loves to play the PS4 and outside with his friends. Emmanuel *Manny* (as we call him), was diagnosed with AML (Acute Myeloid Leukemia) July 28, 2011 when he was 1 1/2yrs old. He did 6 rounds of inpatient chemotherapy. We were very scared and nervous to find out our child had "cancer", but nonetheless we were ready for this fight. The doctors reassured us from the beginning that because Manny has down syndrome, his chances of beating this disease was great. Manny quickly became somewhat of a famous person on the 9th floor of Texas Children's Hospital. All the doctors, nurses, therapists and even the custodians loved him. Manny was able to beat cancer and was declared cancer-free on March 2, 2012. He is currently 8 1/2 years in remission and continues to have a positive impact on people, no matter where he goes or whom he meets."
Nova
- Age 5
- Pearland, TX
"Nova is a silly, kind and sassy 5-year-old warrior princess. She was diagnosed at age 4 with Pineoblastoma. She loves dancing, flowers, sketching, painting and riding her bike. The Sunshine Kids has brought her so much joy.
She recently had the opportunity to read along with the author of Unicorn Day and meet the Houston Astros mascot, Orbit. Her favorite memory with the Sunshine Kids was the fun holiday party at the Children’s Museum. That night at the museum was magical for all of us. With everything she had been through, it was wonderful to see her light up.
We are so grateful to the Sunshine Kids and the amazing donors for all they do to bring so much joy to all of the little warriors and their families. Nova is your typical little princess who just so happened to have faced a giant. Nova’s last MRI shows no sign of cancer. She is our miracle."
Nolan
- Age: 8 years old
- Hometown: Fulshear, TX
- Favorite SSK Event: “Craig Biggio Baseball Party & the annual Holiday Party at the Children's Museum of Houston”
- Favorite part about being a SSK - "I get to be with all of my friends, and new ones that I get to meet! Everyone is so nice and feels like our family. I also love getting to hang out with Christian Covington before he moved, he is my friend. Sunshine Kids makes me happy and I don't think of my cancer when I am with them."
"In April of 2014, just shy of his 2nd birthday at 22 months old, Nolan was diagnosed with NHL (NonHodgkin Lymphoma) and B cell ALL Leukemia. Nolan began to have some lymph nodes get bigger in size and then some nosebleeds and bruising. After lots of scans and tests we decided to remove and biopsy one of the largest lymph nodes that was growing. That was when we were told the news there were Malignant cells found, and later told it was NHL. We were sent to Texas Children's Hospital and more testing was done and he also had a lumbar puncture, and we were told leukemia was found in there also. Nolan began a 3-year treatment protocol. Nolan has been off treatment now for 3 years and is 8yrs old. He loves to play lacrosse and flag football! You can always find him outside with friends and a big ole smile on his face."
