Ruth Corbera, a mother, worked tirelessly to raise funds for cancer research, was met by a twist of tragedy and fate - she was diagnosed with late stage leukemia, and very quickly lost her battle to the disease.
Now her daughters are turning the tragedy into hope by carrying on their mother's tradition each year, throwing a holiday party to raise funds for cancer research.
Sisters Alexandra Nilsson, as president, and Rebecca Corbera, as vice president, head the San Fernando Valley Guild.
The 43 member guild throws an annual holiday party raising funds for cancer research at the University of California, Los Angeles' Jonsson Cancer Center Foundation.
The tradition was started by the sisters' mother, Ruth, who joined the guild in 1997.
"My mom took great passion in this foundation and center," Nilsson said.
Ruth Corbera volunteered tirelessly until 2011, when everything changed.
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She discovered she had late stage leukemia.
"She had developed some bruising that hadn't gone away," Rebecca Corbera said.
Just two months after her diagnosis, Ruth Corbera — the 54-year-old mother of three — lost her battle with cancer.
Their mother's death left the sisters directly connected to the work at the cancer center.
"Knowing that my mom was treated by them and had the best kind of care was all we really could ask for," Rebecca Corbera said, wiping tears from her face.
The sisters say they are so passionate about what they are doing.
"We just want to fight and get more money raised and be able to educate others too," Nilsson said.
This education includes inviting speakers who have benefited from the foundation's fundraising to the annual holiday event.
Francesca Capasso, a cancer survivor, had two types of cancer in each of her breasts. She credits the work of the guild for her survival.
"Here I am 8 years later living my life doing all of the things I've done before," Capasso said. "It's all because people care."
While the guild has lost 13 members to cancer, including Ruth, the sisters are determined to find a cure.
"We want to be able to provide more money, make money so that other families don't go through what we have all gone through," Rebecca Corbera said.
The Jonsson Cancer Center — whose research has led to long-term federal funding and improved therapies — uses seed grants to support medical research.
Over six decades, the Guild has raised more than $865,000 for cancer research.
If you would like to help, visit their Facebook page or you can donate via PayPal - send donations to uclajccfsanfernandovalley@gmail.com.
If you would like to attend their luncheon, you can see more information here.
