Indio Girl With Cancer Gets Early Christmas Surprise

INDIO – Santa Claus came to town!

St. Nick greeted the neighborhood kids at Palo Verde Apartments Tuesday morning, but there was one child he was looking for specifically: Daniela Aguayo.

Daniela, 10,has lymphoma cancer. She was scheduled to leave for Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital in a couple of hours to get her last chemo treatment.

Daniela has been getting chemo every month since April.

“They’re strong,” she said. “It makes you feel yucky.”

Due to the treatment’s intensity, chances are Daniela won’t be home for the holidays. Instead, she will be stuck in the hospital.

So, Mr. and Mrs. Claus, as well as several members of the Indio police and fire departments, broughtChristmas early.

“I think she (Daniela) feels bad, but she knows she has to keep going because she has to get better,” says Sandra Aguayo, Daniela’s older sister.

Sandra says Daniela’s doctors believe Daniela is doing better. And when Daniela finally comes home, she will be busy unwrapping and enjoying her presents.

“And if my counts are good — and my white cells are good — I’m gonna stay (home),” says Daniela.

Daniela’s health troubles began in November 2008. The family noticedshewas losing a lot of weight, but her feet were swollen. Five months later, they would find out she had cancer.

Daniela is the middle child of three girls. It has been a tough eight months for the entire family. Mom and Dad are keeping their hopes alive.

“They know what to do and everything. But they haven’t gotten all scared,” said Sandra Aguayo. “They say we have to keep going and not give up.”

Since her treatment began, Daniela has had to miss school. Her teachers tutor her after school when the other students are gone.

But if her condition keeps getting better, she’ll be good as new next Christmas.