Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/357002
Local Mother's Courage Helps Children with Cancer SHORTCUTS GIVING BACK 96 C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S U M M E R / F A L L 2 0 1 4 W ords are covered in tears when talking to a mom who has lost a baby to cancer. Somehow, Aimee Grijalva finds the strength to talk through her tears in honor of her beautiful son, Matthew Robert Pierce, who passed away at age 2 ½ last year from infant leukemia. Along with her husband, Ronald Pierce, who owns Green Gopher Garden Supply in Sand City, Grijalva suppor ted Matthew in his long bat- tle against pediatric cancer. The couple is also the parents to Izahia (15), Noa (8), Lily (3) and Luke (8 months). "We fought so hard sometimes we can't believe it turned out this way," she says. "We have lost 58 children to cancer in Monterey County in 16 years. Matthew was number 57." The nonprofit Jacob's Heart has been a support system to Grijalva's family. "When you are in the midst of a diagnosis you need someone to tell you to put this foot in front of the other," she says. To benefit Jacob's Heart, Grijalva has created the inaugural Matthew's Golden Gallop 5K race this September 14th during Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, where participants will dress in the color gold and run along the Monterey Rec Trail. "We wanted to create an event to honor all the children who have passed away from cancer," Grijalva says. If she could give one piece of advice to others, Grijalva says it would be that they aren't alone. "You are locked up in these [treatment] rooms and life is going on without you and you feel very iso- lated and alone but you are not. Events like this will help people feel more included. This is an opportu- nity for Monterey County to shine bright and honor our children." To register for Kidrageous, Baby Matthew's Golden Gallop for local nonprof it Jacob's Heart, go to jacobsheart.eventbrite.com. $25/adult; $10/ages 12 and under. Includes event backpack. Race day registration starts at 7:30am; run begins at 9:30am on Sunday, September 14. Meet at Custom House Plaza in Monterey. For more information, or to donate, go to Facebook and friend request Matthew Robert Pierce or facebook.com/jacobsheart. — Brett Wilbur Aimee Grijalva lost her beautiful son Matthew Robert Pierce to pediatric cancer. Grijalva has organized a cancer run/benefit on the Monterey Rec Trail on September 14. Photo: Kelli Uldall