Elena Valles is a 7-year-old who spent four of those years fighting leukemia. The Girl Scout Brownie is now spending her two year cancer-free anniversary with other children battling cancer at 6 p.m. Saturday at Children’s Hospital Colorado, 13123 E. 16th Ave., Aurora.
The Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams event will go on regardless of weather.
“Cancer doesn’t care if it is snowing,” Elena said. “Cancer doesn’t stop if it is snowing.”
Moonbeams for Sweet Dreams is keen on providing support for children staying in the hospital during their fight with cancer. Children battling cancer will be given a flashlight to shine through their hospital window. Family, friends, Girl Scouts and other supporters on the street will shine their flashlights back into the rooms to let them know they’re not alone in their fight.
“Sometimes when you stay at the hospital, you can walk around and go to the playroom, but sometimes, like when your fever is going up and down, you can’t even leave your room,” Elena wrote in a news release. “It feels sad when you are stuck in your room or when you have to stay at the hospital for a long time. By doing this event, I want to support the kids that have cancer. I want them to know that they can get through it too. I want to give them hope.”
Nearly 100 people including Girl Scouts, family, and friends are expected to attend the event.
“Elena is really dedicated to this event,” AnneMarie Harper, Public Relations Director for Girl Scouts of Colorado said Saturday. “It’s really special for her.”
