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September Childhood Cancer Awareness Month is an annual national health campaign organized by major childhood cancer organizations and their supporters to increase awareness of pediatric cancer and to raise funds for research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure.
At All Star Basketball we believe no child should fight alone. You can help us support local children battling cancer by purchasing a Fight Like A Kid t-shirt and Sports headband. The proceeds will go to Vannie Cook Clinic to help local children fight cancer because if THEY FIGHT, WE FIGHT!
fundraiser to benefit
In 2020, Childhood Cancer hit close to home at All Star Basketball when Coach Joseph's daughter, was diagnosed with Leukemia. Coach Joseph and his wife, Melissa, are the founders, owners, and operators of All Star Basketball. Brooke is their only child.
Brooke was diagnosed in August of 2020 at just shy of 9 years old. Through the grace of God and the great treatment protocol she received through Vannie Cook Pediatric Cancer Clinic, she was able to go into remission just 29 days after starting treatment. In fact, they learned she was in remission on her 9th birthday! Under the direction of the oncologists at Vannie Cook and through God’s tremendous blessing she has been able to remain in remission since. Today, she is doing well and close to finishing her cancer treatment in November 2022.
To say it has been a difficult couple of years would be an understatement. A cancer diagnosis turns the life of the patient upside down and sideways along with all those who love them. The Beltrans are so grateful much awareness and medical advancements have been made for the type of cancer their daughter Brooke has, which is Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia B-Cell, but many other cancers need a lot more research and advancements must continue!
101 W. Expressway 83
McAllen, TX 78503
956-661-9840
Learn more about
Vannie Cook Clinic
The mission of the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic is to provide treatment to children in South Texas who suffer from cancer and blood disorders regardless of their ability to pay. It is the region’s first state-of-the-art pediatric hematology/oncology clinic and the only comprehensive pediatric cancer treatment facility in South Texas. Since 2001, 10,000 families have found the care they need right where they need it most, in their own backyard.
Prior to the creation of this program, families in the Rio Grande Valley were forced to drive either to San Antonio (five hours away) or to Houston (six hours away) to receive cancer treatment for their child. Since treatments can be necessary one or more times a week, the commute was a serious burden for families, often with dire consequences for the family or the child’s care.
The outpatient clinic is comprised of over 10,000 square feet of space with 2 waiting rooms, 7 exam rooms, 2 procedure rooms, 2 phlebotomy stations, 2 laboratories and a large infusion suite divided into areas for toddlers, young children and adolescents, respectively.
In addition to offering diagnostic and cancer treatment services, the clinic offers a long-term survivor program which follows childhood cancer survivors through adulthood, and conducts childhood cancer epidemiology research.
The clinic was created through a joint effort of the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Cancer Foundation, Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology Center. Our goal is to ensure that local children who suffer from cancer and blood diseases receive the most up-to-date care and treatment without the need to leave the region and regardless of ability to pay.
COACH JOSEPH BELTRAN
Founder & Director