To our dear community, please read a statement from Laurita regarding the horrific plane crash on January 31st carrying a young patient from Shriners Children's Hospital and her mother: "This past month, and this past week in particular, has felt so heavy for me and my family. One of the latest events, the tragic plane crash that occurred in Philadelphia, has hit me especially hard. The plane was transporting an 11-year-old girl who had been a patient at Shriners Children’s Hospital for the past four months. She had successfully finished her treatment and was flying home to Mexico, along with her mother who was by her side. While I have been quiet as I’ve read and heard different information shared, it was confirmed that young Valentina had spina bifida and was receiving treatment for a related condition. The death of any child should be considered tragic, but I cannot adequately express the depths of grief I experience when it is a child with spina bifida. As I’m sure the crash will be investigated thoroughly, my prayers are with her surviving family and loved ones who mourn both Valentina and her mother, the crew on that flight, and the entire staff at Shriners who have expressed getting to know and love this little girl. My heart aches for all of them. " -- Laurita Tellado #news #SpinaBifida #planecrash #Philadelphia (fb)

On behalf of Laurita and her parents and co-board members Myrna and Miguel, we wish you a beautiful holiday season filled with much love, peace, and joy. 🎄🕎 We appreciate our village so much! Because of YOU, we continue to support spina bifida and hydrocephalus communities in countries in dire need. 💝 If you'd like to contribute and have not yet, please consider us for your or your company's end-of-year donation here: https://lauritaspinabifidaproject.org/donate-now/ This year, your generous spirit gave access to clean water for the children of Hope Inclusive Development Center in Uganda. 🇺🇬 Thank you for your wonderful support, and may you have a lovely holiday season! ✨ #TheLSBProject #ItTakesAVillage #OurTribe #SpinaBifida #Hydrocephalus #holidays #Christmas #Navidad #Hannukah #Kwanzaa #giving #philanthropy #charity #SocialGood (fb)