Chicago Lawn community saves quinceañera after birthday girl Vianny Maldonado diagnosed with cancer
Share this @internewscast.com

CHICAGO (WLS) — A community is making Chicago Proud, pulling together to put on a quinceañera after the guest of honor was diagnosed with cancer.

Vianny Maldonado and her family were all set to celebrate her 15th birthday this weekend, but then the diagnosis came.

Her family had to repurpose the money they saved for her party for her treatment.

Many people in Chicago Lawn, including complete strangers, made sure she still got a celebration.

ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch

For Maldonado and her family, it was a moment rich with emotion. On her 15th birthday, their hearts have never been fuller.

“It’s overwhelming, but in a great way,” Jannet Mendoza, the mother, expressed about making the day special for her daughter. “I’m speechless. I’m lost for words.”

The quinceañera marking Maldonado’s coming of age nearly didn’t happen after she was diagnosed with B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia.

Maldonado has been dealing with frequent hospital visits for months. To cover her medical expenses, the family was forced to cancel the party they had been planning.

I’m getting emotional, knowing how special this is for her. She’s going through challenging times, and it’s her birthday.

Jeanette Arteaga, business owner

“I was dreading having to tell her,” Mendoza said. “I mean, even just seeing her face when she found out she had cancer was just, it’s engraved in my head.”

But when community organizer Eddie Guillen learned of the family’s plight, he put out the word in the Southwest Side neighborhood and something remarkable happened.

“The vendors, the small business really came together, and I think that’s important, able to see that miracles do happen,” Guillen said.

People, mostly strangers from the city, suburbs and even out of state donated a cake, all the decorations, plenty of food, as well as a DJ and a stretch limousine, all in less than a week.

The Eco Shop and Refillery business owner Jeanette Arteaga offered up a space behind her shop, and the party was on.

“I’m going to get emotional, because I know it’s very special for her. I know she’s going through a hard time right now, I mean, and it’s her birthday,” Arteaga said. “And just to see that the community, people that don’t even know her are stepping up to show her some love.”

The community even organized a car caravan to join in the celebration

For Maldonado and her family, it was a birthday wish come true.

“I’m a loss of words,” Mendoza said. “It’s so surreal, it’s still very surreal to me.”

Maldonado is an A student and will be starting 10th grade in the fall. Her mother said because of her cancer battle, she aspires be an oncology nurse.

Copyright © 2025 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Version Control: Which ‘Frankenstein’ Should You Watch This Halloween?

Unraveling the Best ‘Frankenstein’ Adaptations for an Unforgettable Halloween Viewing Experience

Remakes, reimaginings, and adaptations have been integral to cinema since its inception.…
Palisades Fire suspect has courtroom outburst while pleading not guilty at arraignment

Suspect in Palisades Fire Case Disrupts Courtroom During Not Guilty Plea

The man accused of igniting what authorities have called “one of the…
Secret US Plan to Partition and Control Gaza

Unveiling the Controversial US Strategy to Divide and Dominate Gaza

Internal U.S. documents revealing a controversial plan to divide Gaza into zones…
Dramatic video shows NYPD officers rescuing a missing dog named Moose from beneath a Manhattan subway train

Watch: NYPD Heroes Save Missing Dog ‘Moose’ from Manhattan Subway Tracks

A dramatic rescue unfolded in Manhattan as officers from the New York…
Watch: Pritzker Shows Us Who He Really Is in Response to Important Question on ICE Actions in Chicago

Pritzker’s Candid Response to Crucial ICE Query in Chicago: What You Need to Know

Recently, Chicago has been a focal point of heightened tensions as federal…
United States Department of Justice appealing dismissal of sanctuary city policy lawsuit against Illinois, Cook County, Chicago

U.S. Department of Justice to Challenge Dismissal of Sanctuary City Policy Lawsuit Against Illinois, Cook County, and Chicago

The U.S. Department of Justice is challenging a court decision concerning a…
Hilary Duff sobs after spilling coffee all over her Balenciaga bag

Hilary Duff’s Coffee Spill Drama: Balenciaga Bag Mishap Sparks Emotional Reaction

Hilary Duff recently shared an emotional moment with her followers, posting a…
Rubio slams UNRWA as a 'subsidiary of Hamas,' vows it will not 'play any role' in delivering aid to Gaza

Senator Rubio Denounces UNRWA as ‘Hamas Subsidiary,’ Pledges to Block Gaza Aid Involvement

In the wake of Vice President JD Vance’s departure back to Washington,…
Ontario premier says he'll pull ad that upset Trump so trade talks between Canada and US can resume

Ontario Premier Withdraws Controversial Ad to Reopen Canada-US Trade Dialogues

TORONTO (AP) — The Premier of Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, announced…
Judge halts death penalty case in New Mexico due to federal shutdown

Federal Shutdown Forces Pause on New Mexico Death Penalty Case

In a significant development out of Santa Fe, New Mexico, a judge…
US says it now plans to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia as soon as Oct. 31

U.S. Set to Deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia by October 31: Immigration Update

In the latest chapter of a contentious legal saga, the U.S. government…
Convicted illegal immigrant child killer who murdered infant son arrested in Twin Cities ICE sweep

ICE Operation in Twin Cities Leads to Arrest of Convicted Child Killer and Illegal Immigrant

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently revealed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement…