Destinee Coronado, now 18 years old, is starting her first year at San Jose State University, pursuing a degree in child and adolescent development. Her journey to this milestone started at the age of 10, when she was diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer. After enduring a challenging five-month chemotherapy regimen, her family faced significant financial strain due to mounting medical bills. Fortunately, the Shop with a Cop Silicon Valley Foundation intervened, raising $10,000 to help support her family during this difficult time.
The organization, founded in 2008 by Darrell Cortez, aimed to provide children in need with holiday shopping sprees. When Coronado’s diagnosis became known, the foundation quickly stepped up to assist her family, helping them avoid potential homelessness. “The family was not financially set, but at least they knew that they didn’t have to worry about that for a little while,” said Alicia Cortez, the foundation’s secretary.
Now, seven years later, the Shop with a Cop Silicon Valley Foundation is once again rallying support for Coronado. They aim to raise $15,000 through the Wish Book initiative to cover her college expenses, including tuition, materials, and transportation costs. “I was very driven by the support and the love that they had given to me when I was sick,” Coronado reflected. “They didn’t really have to do anything for me, but they just wanted to help me.”
Coronado’s relationship with the nonprofit began through her mother, Miriam Villanueva, who started volunteering in 2015. Over the years, Coronado and her brother benefited from the foundation’s holiday shopping spree, making their connection to the organization even stronger.
After her cancer diagnosis, Coronado underwent surgery to remove a tumor and her left ovary. She spent months in treatment, missing half of her fifth-grade school year. “I didn’t know what cancer was, I didn’t know what a tumor was,” she recalled. “I was just scared.” As her mother took time off work to care for her, the family relied heavily on the support from the foundation to maintain stability.
The financial burden of medical treatment depleted their savings, leading Coronado to be concerned about the costs associated with higher education. “I held myself back from reaching a little further than I think I could have,” she admitted. “My end goal is to prove myself wrong just because I never really had faith in myself academically.” The new fundraising initiative provides her with renewed confidence.
Coronado began her first semester in August 2023, taking classes in child development, English, history, statistics, and public speaking. She aspires to become a teacher to help children facing challenges similar to her own. “My interest started when I was in the hospital and I would see all the other kids,” she explained, highlighting the impact of the counselors and therapists who supported her and others during their treatments.
Looking ahead, Coronado hopes to establish a nonprofit of her own, inspired by the work of Darrell and Alicia Cortez. “I think that I also have it in me to do that,” she said, emphasizing her desire to give back to the community.
The Wish Book, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operated by The Mercury News, has been sharing stories of those in need since 1983, inviting readers to help fulfill their wishes. Donations to the Shop with a Cop Foundation will directly support Destinee Coronado’s educational journey, aiming to relieve some of the financial pressures her family faces.
As Coronado embarks on her college journey, both she and her family express deep gratitude for the support they have received. “We felt blessed and grateful,” her father, Jovani Villanueva, said. “For sure, it took off a lot of weight off our shoulders.”
