Locals Round Up To Help Child Fighting For Her Life
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FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) -- A South Florida community is pulling together for a Fort Lauderdale toddler who's in the fight of her life.
At two-and-a-half, Vivienne Salvatoriello is every bit the toddler with two legs in constant motion while figuring out the world but her world is also one of isolation.
Six months ago, her parents Matt and Sarah learned terrifying news. Vivienne was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
"We were paralyzed. It was awful to hear. We couldn't believe it at first," said her father Matt Salvatoriello.
Suddenly, Vivienne's young life has turned into a constant stream of treatments, procedures and medications.
Chemotherapy has meant creating a germ-free environment so Vivienne can't spend time with her cousins which can be lonely and isolating. Despite that, her parents say Vivienne has proved to be a real fighter in her recovery.
"She looks at us like 'mom I'll do it' because you're doing what's best for us,'" said her mother Sarah Salvatoriello.
"She's the ones that has to go through all the suffering, the pain and needle pokes but she looks at me and says daddy it's going to be okay," added Matt Salvatoriello.
The cancer fight is costly and has been financially crippling so the family has a Facebook page hopeforvivienne and a GoFundMe account.
Matt's employer Keller Williams Realty in Fort Lauderdale is sponsoring a fundraiser to raise money and
Awareness for Vivienne's treatment.
"And without even asking, they've been there for us," said Matt.
Vivienne's recovery will take years but the family is determined and focused.
Matt said he deals with all the strain very simply - "through the love of my daughter and my wife."