Meet Victoria.

At a time when other kids in her class were worried about typical middle school issues – Victoria was just starting the battle of a lifetime. Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at age 12 she underwent chemotherapy treatment which left her with side effects no preteen girl wants. She lost her beautiful black hair, lost weight and then gained weight due to the other medications she was on. Through it all she remained positive.

Coastal Kids nurses visited her bi-weekly to draw blood and monitor her symptoms. These visits were also an opportunity for Victoria to share her frustrations about treatment, and regular middle school angst. Through it all she built strong relationships with her them. They describe her as really brave, but also funny. “Victoria loved to tell stories, she was super sweet and loved to talk about her friends.”

Victoria was thrilled when in the spring of 2018 she was selected to participate in a professional photo shoot. She dressed up, picked out her favorite hat and wig and posed with her brand-new puppy. Today copies of those extraordinary photos are in her house, the Coastal Kids office and one even received a prize from a prestigious California photography competition. Today, Victoria is in her maintenance phase and her prognosis looks very good. Although she does not see her nurses much anymore, she has formed a lifelong bond with them, “The nurses who have come to our home have been beyond amazing. It has been an amazing experience with them.”

“The nurses who have come to our home have been beyond amazing. It has been an amazing experience with them.”

---Victoria