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The Cure Starts Now's Tribute Funds

Aniya Corona's Tribute Page

Aniya was a beautiful and bright little girl who valiantly battled a highly aggressive and fast-growing form of brain cancer known as DIPG. She was incredibly smart and excelled in school. She enjoyed cheerleading and gymnastics and was a natural at performing one-handed cartwheels. She was so kind, and her heart was full of so much love. She loved her friends and family with all of her golden heart.

For three weeks prior to her diagnosis, Aniya was in and out of the hospital with nausea and vomiting. She could not walk on her own, keep food or water down, and had lost 15 pounds, but doctors kept insisting it was just a virus. On the morning of her eighth birthday, Aniya woke up unable to feel her hand and foot, prompting an immediate visit back to the emergency room. This time, an MRI was performed, revealing her brain tumor.

Needing to tell Aniya about her cancer diagnosis, her mom brought her to a carnival with the hope that being in a place that has always brought her so much joy would be comforting during the difficult discussion. As her mom told her about DIPG, Aniya stared out the window with tears streaming down her face. At the end of their conversation, Aniya wiped her tears and said, “It’s okay. Everything will be fine, and then I can do cheerleading again!” Aniya never let DIPG bring her down. She always found the positive in every situation, including her cancer. She was ready for whatever fight came her way during her battle.

Despite how difficult it was to watch Aniya go through diagnosis and treatment, her family stayed strong for her and tried their best to hide their fear and sadness so they could ensure that every day she had left in her life would be the very best. After her diagnosis, she could barely walk, and, on days that she was unable to walk, she used her wheelchair or was carried. Most days, she pushed herself to be strong and was eventually able to walk again and even do a few cartwheels.

Knowing that 8-year-old Aniya was likely not going to make it to her high school prom, her school held a special prom that she attended with her daddy by her side. She looked like a stunningly beautiful angel that night, and watching her dance with her daddy is a memory that her mom holds very dear to her heart.

Aniya battled with courage and bravery for nine months before gaining her angel wings on March 10, 2017. Aniya never once complained, and she always remained positive. Throughout her fight, she continued to show the world her incredible strength and gorgeous smile.

Funding for childhood cancer research means so much to Aniya’s family. It is their hope that through research, a cure will be found someday, so kids have a chance to grow up and don't have to suffer the same fate as Aniya.

Thank you for choosing to donate to The Cure Starts Now Foundation. 100% of this donation, after credit card processing fees, goes directly towards research to find the homerun cure for cancer starting with pediatric brain cancer research.

If you would like to make a donation by mail please send a check to:  The Cure Starts Now Foundation; 10280 Chester Road; Cincinnati, OH 45215 and put the child's name in the memo.

The family receives notification of all donations made to this tribute fund automatically.

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