Support Our Mission to Help RGV Children Fight Cancer.

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We’ve contributed over $3.5 million and assisted more than 12,500 children with cancer in the Rio Grande Valley. Donate now to make a difference!

Your Donation Helps Treat Children at the Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Cancer and Hematology Clinic

Make a Difference, Be a Donor

Friends for Hope relies on the generosity of donors like you to advance our mission of hope for children in the Rio Grande Valley.

Your donation can significantly impact the lives of those we serve, directly supporting our little warriors in their fight against cancer.

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Rene A. Alcala

From the Board President

Every dollar we raise will be donated to the Vannie Cook Children’s Clinic, where approximately 12,500 children from South Texas have been treated and not one has been turned away due to their inability to pay.

Ronnie Cantu

From the Board President

Every dollar we raise will be donated to the Vannie Cook Children’s Clinic, where approximately 12,000 children from South Texas have been treated and not one has been turned away due to their inability to pay.

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Patients helped

Our Mission

Friends for Hope is an organization of passionate individuals from the Upper Rio Grande Valley dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of local children with cancer.

Our mission is to raise lifesaving, essential funds for the Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic, to provide valuable volunteer support to the clinic staff, and to raise awareness about the clinic and the needs of its brave young patients.

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Board of Directors

We stand united in our commitment to supporting our little warriors of the Rio Grande Valley in their fight against cancer.

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Rene A. Alcala
President
VP of Black Rock Commercial CRE
Megen Mikulik
Vice President
Marketing Director Landtitle Texas
Mayra Olivarez
Vice President of Donor Relations
CCO & Founder Olive Marketing Firm
Ruby S. De La Garza
Treasurer
Program Outreach Coordinator USDA
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Upcoming events

All Event

8 Jun

Fishing Tournament

  • 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • South Padre Island
8 Jun
Battle on the Bay Fishing Tournament
  • 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • South Padre Island
9 Nov
Heroes & Outlaws Benefit Concert
  • 1:00 pm - 1:00 pm
  • Mission, TX.

Feedback on the Clinic We Support

They have done an excellent job helping my son. Thanks to them, his tumor was removed, and he is almost finished with all his chemotherapy. Thank you so much 😉

Keyla Martinez
Family Caregiver
The staff is super nice and the Dr. Is the best. He treats you like family and explains to you and your child what is the best treatment. We have been with him for 11 years and won't ever change.
Joe Garza
Family Caregiver

Join our mission to create change and save children's lives.

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Mayra Olivarez

From the Vice President of Donor Relations

The most infectious happiness that I have experienced is paying it forward. I am so so excited to join Friends for Hope and will work hard with our team to break new fund raising records that will aid families in taking care of their little loved ones fighting cancer.

Our Amazing Sponsors

Logo for Friends for Hope Title Sponsor 2025: Wyatt Ranchers
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We are a non-profit organization in the upper RGV dedicated to helping local children suffering from cancer.

LINKS
CONTACT

PO Box 720721
McAllen, TX 78504

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Letter from the Board President of Friends for Hope

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill.

Dear Friends:

Serving as President of the Board of Directors of Friends for Hope is an honor and privilege. Our Past President, Beto Manrique, leaves big shoes to fill, as he left an indelible mark on our organization and the pediatric cancer community in the Rio Grande Valley. I am grateful for his leadership and for trusting me to lead this incredible organization. As a quote attributed to Albert Einstein says, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” True joy comes from service; there is no more noble cause than helping local children fight cancer.

Friends for Hope is near and dear to my heart. I volunteered as a high school student at the Vannie Cook Children’s Cancer Clinic. As a college and law student, I would volunteer at the Christmas parties Friends for Hope would host for the clinic’s patients. Coming full circle and being President of this organization is humbling and motivating.

Our organization consists of passionate individuals from the Upper Rio Grande Valley dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of local children with cancer. Our mission is to raise lifesaving, essential funds for the Vannie E. Cook, Jr. Children’s Cancer and Hematology Clinic, to provide valuable volunteer support to the clinic staff, and to raise awareness about the clinic and the needs of its brave young patients.

Every dollar we raise will be donated to the Vannie Cook Children’s Clinic, where approximately 12,000 children from South Texas have been treated and not one has been turned away due to their inability to pay. In addition to donating almost $3,000,000 to the clinic, Friends for Hope hosts various fun events throughout the year to help patients and their families during these trying times.

On behalf of our Board, we want to thank our community leaders, business owners, partners, contributors, volunteers, and friends for what they have meant to us, our pediatric cancer community, Friends for Hope, and me, both personally and professionally. Our vision is simple– to lead with passion, conviction, compassion and to help spearhead the growth of this organization.

Together, we can create a positive and lasting impact that reaches far beyond the walls of our clinic, leaving a legacy of hope, support, and camaraderie. We know that with you, we are in good company.

We hope you will join us in making a difference in the lives of these young warriors. With your support, we can ensure that the clinic has the tools necessary to continue to provide the best care and treatment available for our local children affected by cancer and blood diseases.

I remain grateful, humbled, and inspired.

Sincerely,

Kristen L. Vela
President
Friends for Hope