Jackie is the daughter of Barbara Canales, who started the Ready or Not Foundation when Jackie was diagnosed with brain cancer a few years ago. Staff photo
Help raise awareness and money to fight pediatric cancer with the Ready or Not Foundation’s Ready. Set. Gold. campaign at La Palmera mall. A leafless tree erected in center court will sprout golden leaves with each donation of $1. Entire branches go for $100.
“This tree is a symbol of life for the children fighting pediatric cancer,” said Barbara Canales, founder of the Ready or Not Foundation. Her daughter, Jackie, 16, was treated for brain cancer. “Our goal is to fill this entire tree and to never forget those children who have lost their lives.”
September is Children Cancer Awareness Month, and this is the second year the Ready or Not Foundation has set up the 10-foot tree. The foundation partnered with La Palmera to provide a month of activities to raise awareness of the disease, all based around the color gold.
“Just as the color pink has become synonymous with breast cancer, gold is the color associated with childhood cancer,” said Fred Walters, general manager of La Palmera and The Shops at La Palmera, at last year’s event. “With more than 650,000 visitors each month at La Palmera, we reach a wide audience of local residents and tourists, which is a great way to raise awareness and spread the word.”
The money will be donated to the largest cancer center in the United States. Texas Children’s Cancer Center in Houston will use the funds to further cancer research.
Story times, kids’ crafts and a fashion show complement the central fundraising efforts of the Ready.Set.Gold. tree.
Story times are planned from 11-11:30 a.m. in center court on Saturdays in September. From 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 24, kids’ crafts will join center court activities. A fashion show from Michael Kors at Dillard’s and the Dillard’s children’s department is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25.
Donations may also be made at www.readysetgold.gives, a special website that showcases the stories of children affected by pediatric cancer.
