SCV DIGS DEEP FOR SICK BOY.Byline: Amy Collins Daily News Staff Writer From the youngster who sent in $5 earned doing chores to an anonymous donor who mailed in a large check, Santa Clarita-based Healing the Children has raised enough money to bring 4-year-old Diego Diaz to Los Angeles Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. for lifesaving heart surgery. ``We have the $8,000,'' said Cris Embleton, founder of the nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. , which has helped more than 4,500 American and foreign children receive medical care and surgeries. Nearly two years ago, Healing the Children brought Diego from his home in Guatemala City Guatemala City City (pop., 1994: city, 823,301; 1999 est.: metro area, 3,119,000), capital of Guatemala. The largest city in Central America, it lies in the central highlands at an elevation of about 4,900 ft (1,490 m). to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center Cedars-Sinai Medical Center is a world-renowned hospital located in Los Angeles, California. History Cedars-Sinai is the result of a merger in 1961 between two major Los Angeles hospitals, Cedars of Lebanon and Mount Sinai Home for the Incurables, with Steve Broidy as to repair a hole and a leaky valve in his heart. Everything appeared successful until this past Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. , when Embleton learned Diego would die shortly if he didn't undergo another surgery to fix the valve again. Turning to the Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. for help, Healing the Children raised the funds in less than a week. ``It has been so miraculous,'' Embleton said. ``It says so much for this community. ``So many people wrote and said they were praying for him. That's just as good as money.'' On Friday afternoon, Diego's mother, Sandra, was at the American Embassy in Guatemala arranging visas to the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . The only hurdle now is getting a flight, Embleton said. The airlines normally donate seats to Healing the Children, but since it's busy travel season, they're having trouble this time. Embleton said her organization may have to come up with more funds still to pay one-fourth of the air fare. Nearly everything for the organization's children is paid through donations from hospitals, airlines and host families. In this case, the $8,000 is needed to pay for disposable equipment required during the heart surgery. Funds to help with air fare can be sent to Healing the Children, 23649 Via Andorra, Valencia, CA 91355. And if it turns out the flight cost is donated by an airline, Embleton said she can make good use of any donations above the $8,000 mark, noting, ``There's so many kids on my list who need help.'' CAPTION(S): Photo Photo: (color) DIAZ |
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