It has recently come to our attention that the Woodland Hills Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Unit will be closing. It is with great sadness that I write this, and my only hope is that you never have to go through the pain of seeing someone you love having cancer and then finding out that the clinic they go to will be closing. With tears and a fear in the pit in my stomach I am asking each and every one of you for help. Please sign this petition so that Dr. Susan Storch is able to continue her practice without the fear of being shut down. 

            The children and the families are dependent on the services provided at the Woodland Hills office, many families in the San Fernando Valley, Ventura County and Antelope Valley commute to the WH office so they are able to be seen by Dr. Susan Storch and her amazing team. Closing this unit would directly affect the dozens of families who need the care.

On September 11, 2015 our world turned upside down, my nephew Aaron was diagnosed with leukemia. This is just one story of the many that come in to the Woodland Hills Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Unit.  We currently go to Kaiser Permanente Woodland for his chemotherapies, spinal taps, infusions, and the occasional emergency visit. The wonderful team at KP Woodland Hills has made us so comfortable, as if we were part of their family. So when were notified that our Pediatric Oncology Unit was closing, we were devastated. The Nurses told us that the issue was not coming from the Doctor but the CEO’s and people who had no knowledge about cancer treatment.  This is what hurt the most. These kids, so tiny and defenseless are being bullied into going to another hospital because KP Woodland Hills thinks it is in their best interest, but not in the interest of all of these sick children.

Another alternative was having the clinic go only part time, meaning that if anything were to happen to any of our children, if the Doctor is not there, then she would not be able to see them. We would have to travel to the clinic on Sunset, just to be seen by any  Doctor. As Julio Rosales stated in a letter sent to Kaiser Permanente, “That is why I found it troubling to know that Kaiser would subject all the children  in the San Fernando Valley, to receive care 30 miles South towards Los Angeles. Perhaps you may not know this but a recent study carried out by NPR showed that 30 miles in Los Angeles equaled to an hour and thirty minute drive during the weekday and an hour drive during the weekends. This means that Kaiser is perfectly alright with delaying care for children.”

 What we are requesting is for a full time pediatric oncologist, and a full time facility. Primarily run by Dr. Susan Storch.

            Now, all of the Pediatric Oncology families have united to defend our little home, the Kaiser Permanente Woodland Pediatric Oncology/Hematology Unit. We need YOUR help now more than ever. Please help us save the Pediatric Oncology Unit at Woodland Hills. Help us by sharing this on any social media and signing our petition. Your help is much appreciated.

Respectfully,

Anna Rosales and the many families affected by cancer.