"THE DESIRE TO LIVE". A 5-YEAR-OLD HARTFORD GIRL IS BRINGING THE COMMUNITY TOGETHER

Hartford community supporting Juliette Velázquez-Lasalle

HARTFORD, CT - About a hundred people gathered outside the Connecticut Children's Hospital in Hartford on Sunday to celebrate life.

Juliette Velázquez (5) is a Hartford girl who suffers from sarcoma, a rare type of cancer that appears in the form of a  tumor attacking the bones and soft tissues of the body.

Juliette has been fighting for her life since 2018 when she was two years of age. According to the relatives, CCMC has carried out various treatments, from radiation, chemotherapy, and new advances to see if the girl can regain her health. 

Juliette and her sister

Family, friends, passersby, the Hartford Fire Department (Station 6), and the Hartford Police were present at the event. The initiative was to celebrate the girl's life while her family prays for a prompt recovery.

Miguel Velázquez and Justine Lasalle, Juliette's parents, told BOCETO MEDIA, "We have faith, we celebrate love, strength, and everything. We'll make it, and we are going to go home together".

The parents said that they were deeply grateful for the support of the police and firefighters, "Our daughter is shy, and she doesn't like big gatherings. But she loves police, firefighters, and balloons. With all this, she feels very special and loved".

Miguel Velázquez and Justine Lasalle (Juliette's parents)

Juliette now faces an additional battle, leukaemia, something that her family found out recently. Doctors are using a modernized method that attacks the cells of this type of cancer directly.

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Roselyn Lasalle, Juliette's aunt, said they are hoping for the best, "The girl has been in low spirits, but when she looked out of the window with her father and saw her surprise, she has filled with joy again."

Check out Instagram for more pictures of the gathering

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A post shared by Maricarmen Cajahuaringa (@mari_cajahuaringa)

But even during difficult times, Juliette's mother is creating awareness through social media by encouraging family and friends to support the units that treat children suffering from severe conditions, demonstrating that love is stronger than obstacles.

The parents are hard-working Hartford residents. Miguel works at Foodshare, and Justine works sporadically to care for Juliette and her other 8-year-old daughter properly. She said that the family's support has been essential to keep going.

"My family is always helping us. They take care of my other baby when I am in the hospital, I am very grateful."

Velázquez-Lasalle family

The family says they will not open a Go Fund Me account, but if anyone wants to donate, they can be contacted directly.

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