The Natalí Dafne Flexer Foundation celebrated three decades of Commitment and dedication to the fight against childhood cancer with a solidarity dinner The event, named “Chefs in their element”, brought together prominent guests who enjoyed a classic Pasta Party, which featured a series of recipes from renowned Argentine chefs.
The evening took place in the Libertador Room of the Sheraton Hotel and was hosted by Mario Massaccesi and Sandra Borghi, who guided those present through a night full of emotion. Live music was provided by The charros and Buenos Aires Gospel Soulwho livened up the moment with their performances.
In an emotional speech at the beginning of the meeting, Edith Grynszpancholcfounder and president of the Foundation, recalled how her daughter’s cancer diagnosis Natali Dafne Flexer, who died at the age of nine, led her to create the organization, and she remembered it with emotion. “It’s been 30 years since the foundation, but 30 years without Natalí. She first used a wheelchair, then crutches and, without asking me anything, she decided to donate them. That’s how enormous she was,” she recalled, to the applause of those present.
Natali’s sister Joy Flexer, accompanied her mother, Edith, in her feelings with her words: “Natalí was always very special. She was funny and rebellious. Today I imagine her on top of a boat chasing illegal fishing boats, doing everything possible to stop them. She was like that. She said that she was going to be a marine biologist. She wanted to be famous and today she achieves this, thanks to the work of all those who carry out the foundation.”
“There is no greater pain than saying goodbye to a child, but my mother, with her immense love and strength, transformed that feeling into hope to create the foundation,” Johana highlighted. And she recalled that, when Natalí was diagnosed, “childhood cancer was an almost invisible issue. That word was not mentioned because, supposedly, no one got sick from it, least of all a boy.”
After her daughter’s death, Edith felt the need to do something meaningful in her memory. “After Natalí passed away, I felt like I had to do something. I realized that my experience could help and do good to many people who were going through the same situation as me,” she recalled days ago in dialogue with Infobae.
Inspired by this feeling, Edith founded the Foundation a few days after the loss of her daughter. “Creating it helped me navigate the pain and absence. It also meant the possibility of offering support and containment to thousands of families who, like me, one day received the diagnosis that their son had cancer,” she explained.
The foundation is dedicated to promoting access for children, adolescents and young people with cancer to appropriate treatments and providing support to their families. Currently, the organization has nine headquarters strategically located throughout the country, including hospitals in Buenos Aires, Tucumán, Corrientes, Chaco, Jujuy and Tierra del Fuego.
The night to celebrate the 30 years of this project began with a special reception by the restaurant Gate of the Inca, Yanzi Catering & Events and Cambalache Pizza Partywhich offered a variety of culinary delights.
Subsequently, Matias Lorenzohost chef of the hotel, along with the teams and representatives of other master chefs such as Maru Botana, Gastón Riviera, Danilo Ferraz, Pedro Picciau, Luciano Picciau and Karina Gao, led the gastronomic event. There were, among other dishes, pasta accompanied by sauces such as putanesca, peperonata and parisienne.
During dinner, an endearing text from Joy, Natalí’s sister, was projected on the giant screen: “On June 20, Nati would have turned 39 years old. At only 9, she marked our lives forever. During her illness, I never saw her complain. They punctured her and operated on her countless times and she, always with that magical smile, kept going. Natalí was very brave, daring and super funny. She is always aware of others and loving the world. Her last operation was on her lungs. She already had metastases, actually: there was nothing more to do. We knew it and I think she did too, a little bit.”
“I remember that, a few hours later, he got up and walked out to the Oncology hallway. He went room by room telling the other kids ‘if I’m already upstairs, you can too’. She was like that. A whirlwind of inexhaustible energy. She was very wise, an old soul who passed through here to leave us great teachings and a legacy that will last forever. We honor you every day, my beautiful little one. “You were incredible and you did it like no one else,” the woman said in the letter.
However, this conclave not only commemorated the beginnings of the foundation, but also raised funds for the construction of the Differentiated Care Service for Adolescents and Young People with Cancer at the Posadas Hospital. This initiative represents a significant advance in the care of adolescents and young people facing cancer.
Along these lines, in another of the speeches of the day, Leticia Garcia, director of the foundation, emphasized: “All of us, just today, are passing through here. Everything that happens tonight has to do with what we are doing at the Posadas hospital. “It is something innovative in the world and we are achieving it in Argentina.”
“25 years ago, I was just passing by and met Edith. I chatted with her for three hours and realized that this was my place; where I wanted to be. Shortly after, I learned that for years I had been preparing myself professionally and emotionally to be by her side,” García highlighted.
It should be remembered that the Natalí Dafne Flexer foundation offers free treatment support, psychological support and recreational activities to more than 1,500 children and their families. It also focuses on training professionals in child and adolescent oncology, administers funds for clinical research, and conducts psychosocial research.
Furthermore, the organization that leads Grynszpancholc carries out infrastructure and equipment works in public hospitals and coordinates the Network of Organizations to Help Children with Cancer in Argentina and Latin America. This network seeks to identify common problems and develop structural solutions, promoting actions of advocacy and defense of rights.
* Photos: Luciano González