An answer to cancer

At first glance, no one would suspect doctors gave Daniell Driessen only an 18% chance of survival five years ago.

On Sunday, the Huntington Beach girl ran around from one attraction to another at a party for kids battling cancer and their families. The Western Roundup for Dancin’ Cowpokes party was sponsored by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the American Cancer Foundation in Irvine.

Daniell, 7, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma when she was just 2 years old, said her mom Lorie Lovelady.

“It was really hard to deal with it, but something just takes over,” she said. “You can’t crawl into a hole.”

On Sunday Daniell was happy and healthy, Lovelady said as her daughter meandered around playing games and going on rides. Daniell is not completely out of the clear yet. She is continuing with an Accutane treatment, which Lovelady said should destroy small cells trying to attack Daniell’s body. If all goes as planned, Lovelady said Daniell should receive a clean bill of health from doctors sometime next year.

“You find out how fortunate you are when they come through and they go to kindergarten, then first-grade, then second,” she said.

On Sunday, Daniell was just excited to be out and about seeing how many times she could ride the swings and how many prizes she could win.

“I went on five times and I’m dizzy,” Daniell said quickly before dashing off to ride the swings again.

Chris Castrillo, 6, of Anaheim has been in remission for two years and couldn’t be more delighted he was able to run around and eat an In-N-Out burger with his dad.

“I’m happy,” he said about being finished with chemotherapy and radiation treatment for leukemia. “I’m very happy.”

With his strength back, Chris was able to help his dad row a canoe on a small lake at the venue, which was his favorite part of the day.

“This is a lot of fun for kids, especially after all the therapy,” said Jose Castrillo, Chris’ dad.

Costa Mesa resident Barbara Anderson feels lucky she is able to spend a warm and sunny Sunday with four healthy generations of her family, including her parents, children and grandchildren.

Anderson, a 15-year volunteer for the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation, brought her family to support and have fun with the other 400 guests.

“This is a ‘friendraiser,’ not a fundraiser,” Anderson said in front of the pony rides. “This is for the kids, the oncology patients, so they can just come out and have a nice day and not think about treatments and the hospital.”

Kids were able to go on rides, paddle canoes, hurl themselves through an obstacle course, watch a Tai Kwon Do demonstration and make crafts, among many other activities Sunday. In step with the western theme, there was also a rope-twirler and pony rides.

Some kids at the party were there to help and have fun.

“I think it’s great to try to make a difference,” said Mike Madigan, 12, of Newport Beach as he waited to check out an Irvine Fire Department truck. “It makes them feel happier.”

Mike and his brother Jimmy Madigan volunteered at the event, helping at the popcorn stand.

“I think it’s important to help the kids because it makes me feel good to help everyone else, not just myself,” said Jimmy, 10.

According to the American Cancer Society, every year more than 1,100 California kids under 15 are diagnosed with cancer, which is the second leading cause of death among children. The American Cancer Society and the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation hope to eradicate those numbers through research and early detection.

“Our goal is to make this disease no longer exist,” said Linda Cross, a Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation board member who lost a son to leukemia 25 years ago. “These kids and their families live through nightmares and are courageous.”dpt.12-cancer-2-cw-CPhotoInfo1J1RSJ3U20060612j0pu27nc(LA)Sergio Cardenas, right, jump-kicks an apple off a sword held by Instructor Daniel Seguel in a Tae Kwon Do demonstration. dpt.12-cancer-1-cw-CPhotoInfo1J1RSJ3K20060612j0ptcmncPHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER WAGNER / DAILY PILOT(LA)Maxwell Zazueta, 5, of Huntington Beach, makes his way over the inflatable obstacle course at the “Western Roundup,” presented by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and the OC Barons’ League at Hidden Valley in Irvine.dpt.12-cancer-3-cw-CPhotoInfo1J1RSJ4920060612j0pudgncCHRISTOPHER WAGNER / DAILY PILOT(LA)Madeline Bubb, 7, of Newport Beach, tosses a ring around a lolly-pop to win candy at the “Western Roundup.”