Lion’s Club steps up to send 4-year-old with cystic fibrosis and
family on second trip
By Rachelle Gines Staff Writer
Gilroy – Don van Straaten said the official Lions Club motto is, “We Serve.”
And van Straaten, a member of the San Martin Lions Club did just that when he suggested that the organization send Caley Camarillo, a 4-year-old Gilroy child diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, to Disneyland for her fifth birthday in December.
Van Straaten, secretary of the club, said that the idea came to him after reading a series of articles about the child in the Dispatch, since a major goal of the Lions Club is to help local people.
“My wife Diana and I said, ‘Here’s a child that needs some help and some assistance,'” the Morgan Hill resident said. “We like helping children and the basis of the Lions Club is to aid the community.”
As a result, the San Martin organization has provided the Camarillo family with a 3-day pass to Disneyland, hotel accommodations, a rental car and spending money. Van Straaten said the total cost was about $2,500, taken from the Lions community project fund.
Caley Camarillo was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in January of 2002 when she was a little over a month old. The disease affects the respiratory system and digestive track, making it hard to breathe. Currently, there is no cure for the illness, and Caley must take large amounts of medication and endure at least three breathing treatments daily.
Teresa Camarillo, Caley’s mother was overwhelmed when she learned of the club’s gift. Teresa said Caley wasn’t feeling well during most of her first trip to Disneyland in July sponsored by the Make A Wish Foundation, so this second chance to go to the park meant a lot to the family.
“I’m very, very grateful for a second opportunity to take my daughter to Disneyland thanks to the San Martin Lion’s Club,” Teresa Camarillo said.
The club’s generosity took Teresa Camarillo aback, given that they also agreed to pay for a rental mini-van.
“When Don said he would look into renting us a car when he found out that our car wasn’t reliable for the trip, I was surprised, especially since I was grateful for what they had done for us already. I could have more than covered that part of the trip.” Teresa said.
Caley was also very happy when she found out she would get to go to Disneyland for a second time, her mother said.
“I asked her if she still wanted to go to Disneyland for her birthday, and Caley asked, ‘To spend my birthday with all the Disney princesses?’ And I said, ‘yes.’ Caley then said, “Yes. I would love to.” Teresa Camarillo said with a laugh.
Caley’s little sister, 2-year old Carly Camarillo piped up that she wanted to spend her February birthday in Disneyland also, and Teresa amended the situation by saying she would combine both of their birthdays in one trip.
“Carly is more excited than Caley,” Teresa Camarillo said.
Teresa Camarillo said she was especially grateful because she had been experiencing minor health problems that prevented her from working extra hours at her part-time job not only to save for the second trip to the theme park, but also to make up for the week of income the family had lost when her husband Martin took time off of work to go to Disneyland in July.
“I’m feeling a lot better now, and thanks to the Lions Club, the extra money we had been saving for Disneyland will go into a savings account that helps pay for family expenses the next time Caley goes to the hospital, because my husband takes time off work then to help me,” Teresa Camarillo said.
Caley will get to meet the members of the San Martin Lions Club some time soon, Teresa Camarillo said.
“I think it’s important for her to meet the people who are sponsoring her trip to Disneyland.”
Van Straaten said that the Lions Club has also helped families pay for funeral expenses, Thanksgiving dinners and Christmas presents.
“It’s a joy to help Caley,” van Straaten said.
Rachelle Gines is an intern attending San Francisco State University. Reach her at ra**********@*****il.com.
