10-Year-Old Cancer Patient From Juarez Seeks Treatment In U.S.

By ABC-7 Reporter/Anchor Ken Molestina

EL PASO, Texas — Ten-year-old Cristina is described by her loved ones as being a happy and smiling girl.

But lately she has been sedated by heavy drugs to help her cope with the pain of a rare form of Stage 4 cancer that is spreading through her body.

Her sister Adriana Briones says, “We’re here looking for help because in Mexico we haven’t found the treatment she needs.”

The lack of treatment in Mexico and a last-ditch effort to help find that treatment in the U.S. is what brought this desperate family from Juarez to University Medical Center.

According to UMC spokeswoman Margaret Althoff-Olivas, they had to take the girl in and stabilize her.

“If a patient comes to your emergency department in an emergency condition, you are required to stabilize that patient regardless of their ability to pay, regardless of race, or nationality origin.”

Although Cristina is stable for the time being, her family says what she really needs is chemotherapy and treatment by a pediatric oncologist, something she can’t get at University Medical Center.

Briones said, “We are very desperate. We need help as soon as possible, as her life span is getting dangerously short.”

The family says Cristina has been refused treatment by St. Jude’s Hospital. They say Providence Hospital won’t take her either. It’s that treatment that could give her a 40 percent chance of living.

Cristina’s sister thinks the odds are against them because Cristina doesn’t have American health insurance.

An account has been set up to help Cristina:

Acc # 488025396528 Bank of America

Questions should be directed to Anna Ortega (915) 491-4023.