LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The holidays season is a time to spread cheer to those you care about.
This year, 13 Action News along with our 13 Connects partners and The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation are delivering much needed surprises to people across the valley.
13 Action News Anchor Todd Quinones introduces you to a little boy who's been fighting cancer most of his life. His mother has been by his side every step of the way.
This was a good day for Mona Salas and her son Arelio. A visit from Chance and some Golden Aces was a welcome change.
This family has been through a lot.
The 6 year old's battle with leukemia brings a lot of difficult days.
Days filled with injections, pain and exhaustion.
He's been in out of the hospital for nearly 4 years, and his mother lost her job because of all the days she missed work caring for him.
One night after another tough round of chemo Mona took her son out to eat at an Olive Garden.
She had just $9 on her debit card, and couldn't afford to tip the waitress.
"I was balling. I felt like crap," she said.
"We barely had enough gas to make it home," Mona added.
After learning about the family's struggle the restaurant manger took care of dinner and introduced Mona to Izzy Thorn of the Southern Nevada Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Izzy nominated Arelio for our 13 Days and Knights of Giving.
"We just wanted to do something to help. We are so thankful we have you guys in our life and Arelio who is a little fighter. He is going to kick cancer's butt," Thorn said.
The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation wants to treat Mona and Arelio to a Knights hockey game and there is a Golden Ticket to an event in their honor where they will also have some Christmas gifts given to them.
It is obvious Mona has a special love for her family and Arelio. 13 Action News and The Vegas Golden Knights Foundation recognize that and wanted to say thank you for everything Mona is doing and to let her know she is not alone.
After more than 300 doses of chemo Arelio is going better.
He's added more than 30 pounds in the past year and his cancer is now in remission.
13 Days and Knights of Giving is sponsored by Golden Knights Foundation, Subaru of Las Vegas and America First Credit Union.