Meet Vivien!
Sweet Vivien was a lovely baby girl who was adored by her family. She was born with cardiomegaly, which means her heart is enlarged, as well as a mitochondrial disease. Vivian was so loved and will forever be remembered.
PHOTOGRPAHY DONATED BY JESS CADENA PHOTOGRAPHY
Rebecca’s mom became concerned when she noticed a bump on her daughters arm. Becky’s mom made the proactive choice to not waste any time and she took her directly to the doctor. After a biopsy it was confirmed that Rebecca had rhabdomyosarcoma and she began aggressive treatment. Becky really likes her doctors at Valley Childrens who are helping her get better! Dr. Razaqi may be her favorite because he wears the most colorful shirts and ties! (Keep up the keen fashion sense Faisal Razzaqi– our Sweeties dig it!)
Please join Sweet Nectar Society in cheering on this super sweetie! Have fun splashing in the sprinklers this summer Becky!
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY BRITTANY WILBUR
Meet Kobe.
Kobe is a kind-hearted boy who enjoys participating in his drama class. Drama helped Kobe build confidence, express himself and really shine!
Kobe is graduating 8th grade and excited to begin high school in the fall. When Kobe was in pre-school his teacher noticed he was not meeting some of the milestones and one day she called home and told Kobe’s mom that he was having a seizure. He was taken to the doctor and it took a year to determine the type of seizures Kobe was experiencing and get an actual diagnosis. It took several attempts of finding the correct medication for Kobe before his seizures stopped. Due to developmental delays caused by the seizures Kobe struggled in school. It was not until he was accepted into the special needs class that Kobe started to excel.
Kobe has been emotionally effected and has suffered from depression because of bullying. Kobe’s mom shared that it can be difficult for people to understand that he looks like a typical 8th grader but he is years behind developmentally. It is important to educate people on the invisible diagnosis’s that impact so many.
Kobe is a handsome and sweet boy. We are so proud of you Kobe and wish you the very best as you begin high school. Keep smiling and know you are loved!
PHOTOGRPAHY DONATED BY BRITTANY WILBUR
Nicolas was just about the sweetest little boy you could ever meet. He loved dinosaurs and got excited about his classic model car collection. He got bashful when you complement his cute little dimple- but it sure got him to smile!
There is no question that this kid absolutely adored his family. During his session our photographer spent some time taking photos of Nicolas with his favorite cars and t-rex. She spent some time taking photos of Nicolas and his mom and then his siblings. His sisters playfully kissed his cheeks and he and his big brother compared their muscles for a few shots. It was nearing the end of the session and Nicolas was asked if there was anything really special to him that he would like to take photos with. Without an ounce of hesitation Nicolas replied, “My mom. My mom is so very special to me.” So more photos with mom were taken- I assure you, she soaked in every second!
Nicolas was a special boy who will forever be remembered as an amazing kid who was so very loved. He was handed a card that no child should ever have to face. After 4 liver transplants, Nicolas’s liver failed for a final time.
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY BRITTANY WILBUR PHOTOGRAPHY
McKenna is very active in her High School Marching Band despite being in pain most of the time. She also tries to volunteer at a local horse rescue. She has just recently participated in Kids Day where she sold newspapers for Valley Children’s Hospital where she has been a patient until going to UCSF.
McKenna is a special person to be around she is always thinking of her friends before she does her self. She also adopted 2 cats Chewie and Han Solo aka Thunder Cat.
When McKenna was diagnosed she didn’t feel sorry for herself she immediately started researching what she was going to have to do in order to stay healthy. McKenna is planning on going to College of the Sequoias this year after graduation where she is going to major in nursing, she eventually want to become a Physicial Assistant or Nurse Practitioner and work in pediatric orthopedics.
Please join Sweet Nectar Society in saying, Mckenna, we are so proud of you, we know you will do big things in life!
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY Lakhan Family-Photography
Meet Mitali!
Mitali is fun loving girl who likes outdoor activities. She loves horse back riding and loves being in swimming pool. She also likes playing on her iPad. Mitali goes to break the barriers and really enjoys gym classes, she excels because she is super flexible. Mitali also likes to be read books. Her favorite books are from Dr. Suess.
Join Sweet Nectar Society in giving some extra love to Mitali!
PHOTOGRPAHY DONATED BY VICTOR GONZALEZ
Meet Ember!
“Ember was born with Down syndrome. When we’re out and about other kids his age stop and stare at him, then ask their parents, “what’s wrong with him?”. It hurts that most kids don’t know about Down syndrome. I don’t want my son growing up thinking strangers think there’s something “wrong” with him. Raising awareness is so important.
Ember had open heart surgery to successfully repair a heart defect. Ember is developmentally delayed. He has not began talking yet. He had been attending speech therapy to help encourage verbal communication but he was not interested.
Ember’s teachers decided to give technology a try and they have been working with him with an iPad with a communication app. This program has been a blessing. He is now able to tell people what he feels and wants. I’m so proud of my son. He still gets frustrated because he can’t talk or keep up with his peers but he never gives up.
Ember recently got very sick with pneumonia and was in the hospital for two weeks. He had to draw blood and do x-rays everyday. He didn’t understand what was going on or why they kept hurting him. It was beyond heart breaking that I couldn’t explain to him that this was all going to make him better. I just had to help hold him down (because he’s very strong and put up a fight) and watch him look at me with the sadist helpless look in his eyes.
For a 7 year old Ember has been through so much and got through it all and is still a happy loving little boy. He changed my life for the better. I’m so proud to be his mother.”
Love, Ember’s momma
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY STEPHANIE ROSENTHAL
Meet Andrew! Andrew is the sweetest, and most handsome little boy. He was born with Dubowitz syndrome and Micro syndrome.
Andrew has several delays but they do not stop him from being a super hero loving, all around amazing boy. Andrew does not have any teeth due to his syndromes so he utilizes a feeding tube 3 times a day. Andrew has leg braces because his ankles are too small and too weak to hold his body up. Andrew wears glasses to help him see because he is blind in his right eye.
Andrew has a lot of energy and is very expressive with his emotions. He loves Batman, Hot Wheels and his Build-A-Bear Batman doll.
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY ANGELA ELLER
Ashley’s family was informed that their baby may have Down syndrome during pregnancy. Ashley has been through several surgeries including, a duodenal atresia repair at 3 days old, and an open heart surgery at 4 months old. Ashley has also been diagnosed with mild scoliosis. Ashley started to walk when she was just over 2 years old. She is non-verbal but her speech is constantly improving. Ashley is extremely lovable, is always happy, and enjoys school. Ashley’s favorite activities include her loves of dancing, singing, and striking a pose infant of the camera! She adores anything pink and like dogs.
Please join Sweet Nectar Society as we send our love to Ashley- You are awesome girly!
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY KELSEY KELLER
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY CARRIE ANNE MIRANDA
PHOTOGRAPHY DONATED BY CARRIE ANNE MIRANDA
Session Info
•A free photography session
•A digital gallery of images
•A keepsake book
•A platform to raise awareness
•Story shared for support
Provides documentary type photography session to patients currently admitted to the hospital.
•A digital gallery of images
•A keepsake photo
Portrait session events designed to raise awareness to a specific diagnosis, build community, and celebrate Sweeties.
•A digital gallery of images
•A keepsake photo
(559)408.5969 | info@sweetnectarsociety.org
Sweetly rooted in California
