Valley Light Display Helps Sick Children
HopeKids Event Raises Money To Grant Wishes
POSTED: 8:36 pm MST December 6,
2009
UPDATED: 9:30 am MST December 7,
2009
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- This time of year is all about giving, and one Valley group needs your help to make things a little easier for kids in need. They're helping put on the Scottsdale Fantasy of Lights at WestWorld.Some of the proceeds from the display go to a great cause, called HopeKids.HopeKids helps kids like Dani Koenes. The 15-year-old was diagnosed with a brain tumor last November. She's been fighting back ever since, from emergency surgery to try to cut the tumor out, to twice monthly visits to the hospital for chemotherapy. It's a lot for anyone to handle.Mom Kristy Koenes explained, "She's really had a tough road and we've gone through some really tough moments."Moments most teens will never dream of, so the Koenes are thankful for an organization that helps some of Dani's dreams come true. It's called Hope Kids, a Valley group that works with about 600 families with sick children.Dani said, "It makes a bad situation not so bad, because I get to do things that people never get to do ever in their lifetime."Things like front row seats to sporting events with her dad and going to a Taylor Swift concert. Experiences that help Dani feel like a regular teenager again, and help mom, dad and brother Jacob cope with all the emotions that come with having your daughter diagnosed with a brain tumor.Fantasy of Lights runs through Jan. 2. For more information on how you can help, go to www.hopekids.org.
Copyright 2010 by KPHO.com. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.








