WISH UPON A STAR ORNAMENT FOR CANCER VICTIM CROWNING TOUCH.

Byline: Patricia Farrell Aidem Staff Writer

VALENCIA - For Janine Jones, the star atop Valencia's community Christmas tree means hope.

Her three children and their grandfather rode a cherry picker Tuesday to the top of the 40-foot tree and placed the star there in memory of Jones' mother, Sheila Veloz, who died last year of breast cancer.

``It stands for all our hopes and our dreams, it's like an eternal light,'' Jones said once her 6- and 9-year-old daughters and 3 1/2-year-old son were safely on the ground.

It was a bittersweet moment, Tom Veloz said, eyeing the three-sided star that will shine Sunday in his wife's name. The tree, on the grounds of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital, will be lit for the season at 5 p.m. Sunday, culminating a three-hour festival.

Sheila Veloz, who died in July 2001, spent years raising money for the hospital, including its cancer treatment program. One of her pet projects was the purchase of special recliners for chemotherapy patients to make them more comfortable during their treatments.

She also was instrumental in fund-raising efforts for a surgical microscope for use in neurosurgery, microsurgeries and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction for cancer survivors.

Tom Veloz has continued his wife's work. In May, he donated $500,000 to help create a state-of-the-art breast imaging center at Newhall Memorial. The hospital's foundation hopes to match that donation. The center is due to open by the end of the year.

``It's important for the community to be proud of the hospital and the work they do,'' he said, explaining why he joined other donors in dedicating ornaments on the Christmas tree to loved ones.

A former dancer and Radio City Music Hall Rockette, Sheila Veloz was 59 when she died, leaving her husband, two daughters and grandchildren.

She was the first breast cancer patient to speak on behalf of the hospital's foundation, urging women to get annual mammograms and to perform self-exams. The holiday tree topped by her star will be lit Sunday at the 17th annual tree-lighting event on the hospital lawn.

Festivities will begin at 2 p.m. and will include entertainment, children's crafts, letters to Santa, train rides, a petting zoo and the 5 p.m. lighting.

CAPTION(S):

3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Tom Veloz, with his grandchildren Bailey and Stephen Jones, places a star Tuesday on the community Christmas tree.

(2 -- color) Large ornaments reflect the tree at Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

(3) Volunteers place ornaments on the community Christmas treethat will be lit at 5 p.m. Sunday at Newhall Memorial.

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer