An East Bay neighborhood was celebrating Halloween earlier than usual on Friday night.
It was a VIP experience for Jia, a 3-year-old who will not be able to trick-or-treat on Halloween night.
Jia was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of pediatric cancer.
It was spotted following a trip to the hospital in January, after Jia got sick.
“There’s the initial shock that your daughter can have something that’s terminal,” said Dena Kim, Jia’s mother.
Kim says seeing Jia go through multiple rounds of chemo and giving birth to her now 7-month-old during this period has been the hardest thing she’s ever gone through.
Jia’s most recent chemotherapy kept her in the hospital for two months and wiped out her entire immune system.
“Even when we come home and she’s doing well that is kind of filling my mind that I might not have many years left with her,” Kim said.
With Jia being immuno-compromised and unable to be around large groups, this Halloween Kim wanted to do something special for her daughter.
They’ve always gone to the Hercules waterfront to trick or treat, so she posted a message to a Hercules Facebook group to see if a handful of homes could celebrate early for her daughter who was battling cancer.
The neighborhood answered the call.
“Within 30 minutes I had 10 people reach out…now we’re up to 44,” Kim said.
And the Hercules neighborhood did not disappoint – home after home, they were coming out to greet jia, who they were meeting for the first time.
“To see the look on Jia’s face, that made every moment worth it,” said Jon Siapno, from Hercules.
Other neighbors say Jia’s story stuck a personal chord and were happy to help her enjoy Halloween a bit early.
“Being a mom, being a parent, it’s one thing when you kids are the one who gets sick, that really got to me,” said Gayle Usana.
“I wanted to cry but at the same time you want to stay strong, no kid should have to go through what she’s gone through,” said Lashante Smith.
Kim says her daughter still has a long road ahead, with more chemotherapy through next year.
This is why moments like the early Halloween celebration Friday night was so special – to allow Jia to feel like a kid again.
“It’s what we needed today before we go to radiation. Grateful is the biggest understatement,” Kim said.
Pete Suratos
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