Even before Quentin Valiquette turned 2 in June, his mother knew something was very wrong with her only child.
“He went from running and jumping to having spasms and right-sided weakness,” said 22-year-old Jessica Valiquette, Quentin’s mother. “We’d have to scoop him up like a newborn baby.”
He was eventually diagnosed with brain and spinal cancer.
Surgeons removed what they could of the tumor, but they didn’t get everything, which is why doctors started chemotherapy treatments. Although Quentin’s cancer has responded to chemo, total removal is the only cure, something that’s impossible because vital nerves are intertwined with the deadly tumor.
“The treatments have been horrible on him, but he’s always happy and he’s always smiling,” Jessica said. “Really, you can’t get down, he’s going through so much more than we are. He never fusses, he never cries, he’s the most patient child. He just accepts it as part of our routine. It’s like this is IV night, and this is chemo day and this is lay around and watch cartoons because he feels like crap day.”
Meanwhile, Jessica’s other issues and pressures mount. She left her floral department job at Holiday Market on Hartnell and Shasta View to care for Quentin. And her car suddenly required a string of repairs.
Jessica says she doesn’t know what she would do without a group called Alyssa Araiza “Wings of Angels.
The organization sends gas cards to help cover the travel costs for Quentin’s out-of-town treatments, and it sends grocery cards to help keep food on the table.
“They are such amazing people,” Jessica said of Dan and Donna Araiza, who founded the non-profit organization six years ago after the death of Alyssa, their youngest daughter, to cancer.
North Valley Bank has a Quentin Valiquette fund for those who wish to contribute.
And Wings of Angels continues to help.
Meet Stephen Surtees of Gerber. He’s a 17-year-old Red Bluff High School student-athlete who lives in Gerber with his grandmother Debbie Butcher, who’s cared for him and his younger brothers for many years.
Stephen, a young football player and Little League, first started complaining of pain last November. His grandmother said she took Stephen from doctor to doctor without a diagnosis until an April x-ray finally confirmed osteoscaroma in his pelvis and hip.
“Everyone kept saying it was a sport injury,” Debbie said. “They kept saying sports injuries take a while to heal. I went to like 10 doctors. He was at school on a Wednesday and he called me at home, crying, saying he was throwing up. We took him to the emergency room and they did an x-ray. Pretty soon the doctor says, “I hate to be the one to tell you, but you have cancer and it’s huge.”
Surgeons’ removed Stephen’s pelvic bone and hip bone.
Debbie, Like Quentin’s mother, Jessica, also faces a mountain of bills and vehicle troubles.
“I’ve had one thing after another go wrong with my car,” Debbie said
She said help from Wings of Angels has been a lifesaver.
“They’ve been excellent,” she said. “They started sending us food cards and gas cards. It helps greatly.”
Saturday is the 7th Annual Wings of Angels event to raise money to help Quentin and Stephen’s families, and other families like theirs whose children have cancer or other life-threatening conditions.
You’re invited. Expect delicious spaghetti (what else would you expect from Sons of Italy?).
Know that the money goes to a worthy cause, a North State non-profit organization that helps some of our most vulnerable children and their overwhelmed families.
If you can’t attend, donations are still welcome.
What: Wings of Angels & Sons of Italy fundraiser, spaghetti dinner and live auction
When: Sat. Oct. 25, 2 to 9 p.m – (Live auction begins at 7 p.m.)
Where: Sons of Italy, 4850 Cedars Rd.
Cost: $10 for adults, $5 for children 12 and under
What else: Tickets to enter drawing for a shotgun and 42-inch plasma television cost $5 each or 5 for $20
A portion of the evening’s proceeds will benefit Stephen Surtees and Quentin Valiquette.
Info: Contact Dan or Donna Araiza at 378-2373.
