Fundraiser held for 6-year-old Juliet Rodriguez
For anyone with a child or who knows a child seeing them hospitalized can be one of the most difficult moments in ones life.
ABC-7 spoke with one family who’s going through that struggle after their 6 year old underwent 3 brain surgeries.
Friends and family gathered at the 501 Bistro. They celebrated the courage of a young girl and raised some needed funds.
At first glance it might of seemed like an ordinary child’s party.
Balloons .. some arts and crafts and even the happily twirling girl but the real star of Saturday’s party is Juliet Rodriguez.
Two years ago she was diagnosed with cavernous malformation.
“It hits you hard once you see the images, that’s what makes you realize it’s real,” said Juliet’s mom, Viridania Pena.
Pena tells ABC-7 her daughter seemed fine but noticed something was wrong when Juliet started taking naps that lasted 12 to 24 hours long.
“Because my brain was bleeding and there was something in there,” Juliet told ABC-7.
Rodriguez has thin walled blood vessels that become malformed. Those blood vessels then expand and grow and eventually become blood clots.
The danger is that they can cause a brain hemorrhage.
Juliet was treated at the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. The hospital has taken up the costs of the medical care but not traveling expenses.
“We travel back and forth from El Paso to Dallas. We’ve been back and fourth about 11 times,” Pena said.
Mom and dad have already spent about $17,000 and that’s why everyone gathered Saturday, to raise funds.
Family and friends hosted a silent auction with artwork from local artists .. jewelers, among others who donated for the cause.
The Make A Wish Foundation also contributed a little family getaway, a trip to Disney World.
For Juliet, it wasn’t a benefit, it was a time for some much needed fun.
“All of my cousins and my family and friends are here,” Juliet said.
Bands played and Sky walkers on stilts fascinated the children, all the while, Juliet’s mother was thinking about her daughter’s future.
“I want her to grow up and know what she has and own it,” Pena said.
If your are interested in supporting Juliet Rodriguez here is a link to her go fund me page:
