Hispanic Week Kicks off With Admirable Cause
Lawrence’s long standing cultural celebration, Semana Hispana, recently kicked off this year’s series of events with a gala dinner at the Days Inn Hotel on Pleasant Street in Metheun, as the 37th annual festivities launched with an admirable purpose on Saturday, March 25th.
The evening’s highlight centered around 10 year old Grismar Estévez, who is battling leukemia, a form of cancer that affects children, as 75% of all leukemia cases involve youths under the age of 15. The proceeds for the evening went to her family to help pay for medical costs. Her parents José Luis and Jennifer Estévez were moved by the support.
“This has been a great and memorable evening and we are so grateful for all the support from so many here tonight,” stated Grismar’s mom Jennifer.
Luckily, thanks to research and medical advances, in children under 15, the five-year survival is greater than 60 to 85%. In people with acute leukemia who are cancer-free after five years, the cancer is unlikely to return.
Treatment may involve some combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, targeted therapy, and bone marrow transplant, in addition to supportive care and palliative care as needed. Certain types of leukemia may be managed with watchful waiting.
Maria Pichardo, Semana Hispana Queen crowned Grismar with the honorary title of “Queen of Hope” as the event was able to raise over $2,000 just from the members of the organizing committee, who also worked the room asking for donations through a fun raffle and silent auction. Maritza Meléndez served as Mistress of Ceremony and attendees were treated to live music, courtesy of “Son Boricua” and “La Banda Típica Joven.”
El Mundo was proud to be a sponsor of the event as many elected officials and business leaders attended the dinner.
