CORNING , N.Y. -- Dallas Pace is a normal 11 year old, student body president of her 5th grade class, with big dreams of becoming an actress and singer. However, her life was turned upside down after she fell at school.
"I told them that my leg was hurting and we went to the chiropractor and they thought it was because one of my legs was shorter than the other,” said Dallas Pace, Undergoing Cancer Treatment.
"I really didn't think anything was wrong other than growing pains, it just kind of went down hill from there. They picked it up right there immediately,” said Christina Imbrogno, Dallas' Mom.
On her 11th birthday this May, doctors discovered it was a rare form of bone cancer, called Ewings Sarcoma, that affects only 3 to 4 kids in the U.S. every year.
"We just decided to get up and fight,” said Imbrogno.
They realized in that fight they would have to act quickly, and went to Sloan Kettering Hospital.
"It's really different because I didn't expect it,” said Pace.
Over 200 people in Corning came out Sunday to raise money for Dallas Pace. She was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. As our Mariah Sparks reports, this close community is working together to get Dallas healthy again.
Dallas's family and doctors were relieved they caught the cancer in a localized state, meaning, it hasn't spread to any other organs, which increases here chances of success after chemotherapy.
"We feel very positive about her outcome,” said Imbrogno.
They also feel good about their community.
"I always thought people had to earn their value towards me, that outlook was totally wrong, people are great,” said Bill Imbrogno, Dallas' Dad.
"You just have to be strong and believe in yourself. People are looking out for you and you have to trust them to help you,” said Pace.
Doctors say they are fortunate they caught the cancer early, but will treat Dallas aggressively nonetheless.
All of the money raised will go to Dallas's medical expenses. For more information on how you can help Dallas, email BenefitforDallas@yahoo.com