When a loved one in your family suffers from cancer, the pain and sacrifices directly affect the rest of the family. One 14-year-old boy and his family received a gift that will help the family decrease their stress by getting to the boy's doctor appointments in a more efficient way.
Thanks to the Recycled Rides program, Diego Jiménez and his family were given a Hyundai Sonata so they will no longer have to rely on public transportation for a five-hour trip to his doctor's office.
The Jiménez family lives in Visalia and they travel the 200 miles to get Diego medical treatment at the City of Hope Hospital in the Los Angeles area.
Jiménez was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, or bone cancer, and would travel the long journey every other week to get treatment.
"He told me, 'Mother, don't cry, I'm going to be fine,'" his mother said. "He said, 'God gives these illnesses to the toughest soldiers, and I am one of them.'"
His mother was in disbelief when she learned her son has cancer, but he has remained positive since his diagnosis.
The boy said walking to the bus would be painful since he's had an operation on one of his legs, but the new car will help.
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This article was translated from our sister station, Telemundo 52.
