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SALT LAKE CITY -- A five-year-old Utah girl who is recovering from a brain tumor got a long-awaited gift Saturday: a new bedroom.
Kimberly Gallardo was thrilled with her newly-decorated room, complete with a "Dora the Explorer" theme. It was a time to celebrate not only her new haven, but also her recovering health.
You can see that the battle that Kimberly has faced, she hasn't been alone through it. This wish is more than just about her as well, it's about her family and it's a place that not only she can enjoy but her family can enjoy as well.
–Katherine Fife
"You can see that the battle that Kimberly has faced, she hasn't been alone through it," said Katherine Fife, director of marketing and development for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Utah. "This wish is more than just about her as well, it's about her family and it's a place that not only she can enjoy but her family can enjoy as well."
Kimberly was diagnosed with a brain tumor and spent the past 18 months in the hospital undergoing treatment. The treatment worked, and now her family hopes she will stay healthy.
"After they diagnosed her, nothing was the same for us," said Kimberly's grandmother, Maria Bruno, through a translator. "Christmas, nothing was the same."
Bruno says the family kept up hope because of their faith. "Because of God," she said. "Because of God."
The Make-A-Wish Foundation teamed up with Broyhill and RC Willey to make Kimberly's wish come true. Family and friends were very happy to see Kimberly enjoying her new bed set and Dora the Explorer decorations.
"They were able to give her what she wished for," said Bruno.
Broyhill and the Make-A-Wish Foundation will give 50 kids across the nation a newly-decorated and furnished room this year.
E-mail: kmccord@ksl.com
