Community Hero 2007
Diana Ittzel Sanchez-Hernandez
“Dianita” turned five this year and could handily win a “who’s cutest?” contest. She loves to eat white rice and shrimp. A few of her favorite activities include splashing around in the bathtub, jumping on the trampoline and dressing up in costumes. She’s the kind of girl who’s been known to bust a move to the sounds of pop star Shakira. It’s this love of dancing that has inspired her dreams of becoming a ballerina. Diana’s a big fan of Shirley Temple movies and colorful picture books. And she adores her pet canary named Woody.
In 2003 Diana developed Langerhans cell histiocytosis, a rare disorder that can cause degenerative changes to bones and other parts of the body. Over the past several years, Diana has endured more than her fair share of exhaustive treatments and therapies. Diana says she definitely dislikes having blood drawn and watching all her hair fall out because of chemotherapy.
Diana’s happy to have met so many nice people at the hospital and clinic. Her mother, Angelica, is astonished by how her daughter has faced this disease with such strength. “Even through the darkest days, Diana’s courageous attitude has been a great example for us all,” explains Angelica, who is grateful that Diana has been recognized as a Community Hero. Diana has many ideas of how she’d like to help other children with life-threatening illnesses: “If they have to have blood drawn, I’d give them stickers. And if they needed someone with them, I would hold their hand.”
