Three Tijuana organizations hosted their eighth annual Soñando Juntos charity dinner on the evening of June 12, aiming to raise enough money to cover the equivalent of 600 chemotherapy treatments for children battling cancer in the city.
Fundación Valle Bibb A.C., Fundación Castro-Limón A.C., and BANCREA organized the event at Casa Valle Bibb. Business leaders, corporate sponsors, and community members attended the gala, which has become one of Tijuana’s most visible philanthropic traditions since its launch in 2019.
Eight Years of Pediatric Cancer Support
The Soñando Juntos (Dreaming Together) dinner brings together Tijuana’s business and civic communities around a single cause: funding pediatric oncology care. The 600-treatment target represents a significant commitment in a region where childhood cancer treatment remains expensive and often inaccessible for lower-income families.
Chemotherapy costs in Mexico are generally 40 to 60 percent lower than in the United States, but the expense still poses a serious burden for many Mexican families. A single cycle of pediatric chemotherapy in Mexico can run from 15,000 to 50,000 pesos (roughly $750 to $2,500 USD), depending on the drug protocol. At 600 treatments, the fundraising goal could represent millions of pesos.
Who Is Behind the Event
Fundación Valle Bibb A.C. is the primary organizer and host, providing the Casa Valle Bibb venue. Fundación Castro-Limón A.C. focuses on social welfare programs in Baja California. BANCREA, a Mexican financial institution, serves as a co-organizer and corporate sponsor.
The collaboration between nonprofit foundations and a financial institution is a model that has sustained the dinner for eight consecutive years. Each edition has drawn growing participation from Tijuana’s private sector.
Pediatric Cancer in Baja California
Tijuana is home to several hospitals that treat pediatric cancer patients, including public institutions that rely heavily on charitable support to cover treatment costs. Many families in Baja California travel from smaller cities and rural areas to Tijuana for oncology care, adding transportation and lodging expenses to an already steep financial burden.
The Soñando Juntos dinner is one of several annual fundraising events in the Tijuana area targeting childhood illness, but its longevity and specific focus on chemotherapy funding have set it apart as a flagship cause.
This story was first reported by Zeta Tijuana.