LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - United Independent School District and Laredo non-profit Smiles from Heaven held a special press conference to declare September as Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

Jose and Eloisa Martinez, parents of former Juarez Lincoln Elementary Student Peter Martinez, were also in attendance.

Their son recently lost his battle with cancer this summer after fighting medulloblastoma, a cancerous brain tumor.

Peter’s loss was felt amongst loved ones, throughout the UISD family and Rio Bravo community. His story is a reminder that behind every statistic is a child, a family, and a community that is changed forever.

Ray and Betsy Sanchez founded Smiles from Heaven after losing their daughter Bella to leukemia to ensure that no family is alone. Their organization supports almost

See Full Page