Walk for the kids

Anna Reeve knows how much a gift can lift the spirits of a cancer patient.

Reeve, who was just re-diagnosed with breast cancer last week, said a pillow she received from nurses while receiving treatment at M.D. Anderson in Houston cheered her up. She could just imagine how a child battling cancer would feel if he or she received a gift during treatment.

“I want to raise money to make cancer children smile with the gift of a toy,” said Reeve, a retired McAllen school district teacher.

She began organizing walks four years ago to raise money for M.D. Anderson and the Vannie E. Cook Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic in McAllen so they could buy toys for their young patients.

On Sunday, children, parents and teachers from 14 schools throughout the McAllen school district, as well as cancer survivors, walked laps around the McAllen Rowe High School’s track during the fourth annual Toys for the Little Hearts Cancer Walk.

Reeve, who started the nonprofit organization called Reeve Ramirez Patterson Cancer Foundation to raise money for the toys and research, said she hopes to top the $10,000 raised last year.

The money raised from this event allows the Vannie E. Cook cancer center to buy toys for its Christmas party and throughout the year. Since it opened in 2001, the clinic has treated more than 4,000 children, said Laura Martinez-Ilgun, the center’s executive director and director of development and public relations.

“We’re very grateful to Anna Reeve and her inspiration for Toys for the Little Hearts,” Martinez-Ilgun said.

Before everyone started on their walk, the crowd released hundreds of butterflies in honor of those who died from the disease. That was a highlight for many of the students who participated.

“Mine wouldn’t let go,” said Destiny Gonzalez, a 9-year-old fourth grade student at Navarro Elementary School.

She and other students said they enjoyed helping children who are sick.

“Because if it was me I would appreciate if someone was walking for me,” said Cynthia Mata, a 9-yearold fourth grade student at Navarro Elementary.