The most difficult time that parents can go through is to face the death of a child. The ex-goalkeeper of the Spanish National Team Santiago Cañizares and his wife, Mayte, are living it after losing on March 23 to Santi, their five-year-old son after fight over a year and a half against cancer.
This week they have granted an interview to Hola magazine where they wanted to launch a message of love and thanks, because they believe that despite the pain it has been a life learning, and of hope for those parents who are going through the same thing, so they don't stop teaching their children a smile.
A message of hope
I armed myself with courage First, for all of you, dear family. Because your strength has been our gasoline. Secondly, for all the fathers and moms that you have or are going through at this moment. Fight, fight and fight tirelessly, have faith and hope, because many get ahead and those who leave us are beings of light and will always be by our side. Third, in gratitude to all those people who fight tirelessly, to give voice to Childhood Cancer and raise funds for their research. To the entire Hello team, for supporting us and empathizing with us, from day one. And of course to you, my angel # santicampeón because I will make your legacy reach the last corner of the world. INFINITE THANKS
In the interview, granted "altruistically, and from the heart", they tell how their son's last weeks went by, but above all they want to send a hopeful message: "We want to help give a voice to childhood cancer".
"For all the dads and moms that you have or are going through at this time. Fight, fight and fight tirelessly, have faith and hope because many come forward and, those who leave us, are beings of light and will always be by our side" .Mayte is not wrong. In Europe, childhood cancer is the first cause of death due to illness until 18 years. If we see the data in our country, about 1400 new cases are diagnosed every year in children under 18. Little great heroes who don't lose their smile despite what they are going through. Unfortunately Santi could not win the battle, but there are many children who manage to overcome the disease. The five-year survival rate reaches almost 80 percent in children under 14.
From this network I have received thousands of samples of love, not only today. That is why I want to share this treasure with you; the one that for some time is the photo of my life. A huge hug. Thanks and thanks.
Santiago Cañizares confesses in the interview that they miss him a lot and remember the first moments of the disease, when they were diagnosed:
“After an initial misdiagnosis of meningitis, which leads him to a coma, a malignant tumor is detected in the cerebellum and, days later, he suffers two cerebral infarctions. The doctors gave us the option of not treating him and we thought: if the child has had the opportunity to leave and has not done so, how can we deprive him of the opportunity to fight? ”
It is difficult to put yourself in the shoes of a mother who has just lost one of her children. Recall that Santi was one of the couple's triplets, born after the birth of their first daughter. When he talks about his son's illness he does not do it with resentment or anger, but with gratitude:
“These 16 months of Santi's disease have been a gift of understanding of life. Actually, I feel fortunate because he has taught me the purpose of this life, ”and adds that the little one“ came to teach us that we value every moment of our life, that we would have much more heart and fewer disputes. And not only we are very proud of him ”
The converted pain
Shortly after the death of Gabriel, another case in which the parents gave us a great lesson in humanity, and having heard this week the words of another mother who has gone through the worst thing that can happen to a mother, Diana's Quer, I'm staying with the strength of all these parents who have lost their children and that despite the deep sorrow turn pain into love and gratitude.
We leave you a brief preview of the interview with the emotional words of Santi and Mayte Cañizares remembering his son:
