A special `Treasure'

I would like to say thank you to this community and the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for the blessings you have given to a girl at my school named Treasure.

The entire community has helped this little girl with a cure for a tumor that almost cost her tongue and possibly her life. Her tumor was the same type that affected Sen. Johnson of South Dakota recently.

Treasure appreciates your generosity. She just finished her sixth surgery and the doctor said she needs one or two more for her cure to be complete. She rode with Santa holding a "thank you" sign in the Covina Christmas Parade.

Since beginning this process we've learned of two other children with AVMs who were not as fortunate as Treasure. They were treated by CCS and are now missing their tongue - and one of them has had the AVM returned (as predicted by Treasure's doctor.) I point this out to let you know that you have made the difference for Treasure.

Treasure's mother almost went this direction until the community came to her aid. Her insurance and CCS still refuse to pay for her treatments.

We continue to get needed support from the community and students led by Covina Valley Unified School District staff members. Recent donations were necessary to pay for the last treatment. We have plans for some final fundraising this month and in February so her cure can be complete.

You can keep updated by looking up her Web site - www.friendsoftreasure.com. Thank you again for your love and support of Treasure. She is a special girl lucky to live in a special community.

Adin "Trippi" Rudd

Principal


Cypress Elementary School

Covina