Make a Donation

Miriam Estany Memorial Fund
Bringing joy and compassion to peoples’ lives was Myriam Estany’s life’s work. She was an irrepressible optimist who took on difficult challenges and found solutions. Her greatest gift was her love and devotion to her husband of 38 years, her four daughters and her six grandchildren, as well as to her “other children”-- the ones battling cancer and blood disease.

Following her death on December 25, 2003, her family established The Myriam Estany Memorial Fund at PADRES Contra El Cáncer as a legacy to her passion for helping those in need.

For the last 10 years of her life, Myriam worked as a Language and Cultural Specialist in the Oncology/Hematology unit of Childrens Hospital Los Angeles. Her position at the hospital, however, went well beyond providing translation for Latino families.

"She worked very hard to bridge the cultural gap between the doctors and the children and families who were going through such a difficult time,” says her husband Emilio. “She wanted to make life easier for everyone.”

Myriam worked side by side with the families. She was there to celebrate birthdays and homecomings. She was also there to help families cope with the unbearable pain of losing a child.

She worked closely with PADRES as a volunteer and provided relevant feedback which helped in the establishment of new programs and services. In addition, Myriam volunteered and helped with the organization of different family events such as the annual picnic. She devoted many hours of her own time finding work and housing for the families whose lives were spinning out of control due to their child’s illness.

"I remember a 9-year-old little boy who didn’t have much time to live, but he really wanted a bird,” recalls Emilio. “So Myriam went to the pet store and bought him a cockatoo and delivered it to him. That’s who she was. She was very good at bringing comfort and happiness to people.”

With her affable manner and can-do attitude, Myriam Estany touched many lives. It is through these lives that her passion for children, learning and healing will live on.



Make a Donation in Miriam's Honor