CANCER BROUGHT THEM TOGETHER Turning Tragedy Into a Blessing

DIANE NARES' SON DIED OF LEUKEMIA AT 5 YEARS OLD-BUT HER FAMILY HAS GONE ON TO HELP MORE THAN 11,000 OTHERS, FORGING POWERFUL FRIENDSHIPS ALONG THE WAY

- ANNA LAZARUS CAPLAN

LaToya Johnson's daughter Yuntasha was just 5 when she received her first cancer diagnosis, of neuroblastoma, in 2007. LaToya, a single mom living in California, didn't have a car at the time, and getting to Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego required an "extraordinary, dragged-out bus ride," she says.. For months they commuted up to three hours each way until LaToya spotted a flyer for the Emilio Nares Foundation (ENF) at the hospital. She marveled at what the group promised: transportation to and from treatment-and "we don't have to pay for anything," LaToya says.