Girl battling leukemia becomes deputy for a day

A 3-year-old girl battling cancer had a wish granted by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Angelica Valencia of Indio was diagnosed with leukemia in October and has been receiving treatment at Loma Linda hospital. Her mother, Alma Vizcarra, raises Angelica and her two siblings by herself.

Valencia recently saw a police officer while receiving treatment in the hospital and she became very curious.

“She saw a police officer in Loma Linda and she tried to talk with a police officer but they were busy and she couldn’t go out of the room, so she told me she wanted to meet a police officer,” Vizcarra said.

Volunteers with the Desi Strong Foundation stepped in. The foundation helps families with children who are battling cancer. It was was formed by a Coachella Valley family after Desi Cechin died battling neuroblastoma for two years. The foundation in touch with of the Sheriff’s Department.

“You have to give them hope, you have to give them faith and you have to believe in them and that is the only way that they get through,” said Tanya Moreno, president of Desi Strong Foundation.

“As a law enforcement agency, when we can come out and help somebody like this I think it means a lot to a little girl like that who otherwise might not get the opportunity,” said Capt. David Teets, with the Sheriff’s Department.

Angelica got a taste of what it’s like to be a deputy and was even given a small badge. It was significantly dwarfed by the size of her heart and determination to keep fighting for her life.

Angelica will be heading back to Loma Linda for more cancer treatment on Thursday.

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