Wind Advisory
from SAT 12:00 PM MST until SAT 10:00 PM MST, Western Pima County including Ajo/Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Tohono O'odham Nation including Sells, Upper Santa Cruz River and Altar Valleys including Nogales, Tucson Metro Area including Tucson/Green Valley/Marana/Vail, South Central Pinal County including Eloy/Picacho Peak State Park, Southeast Pinal County including Kearny/Mammoth/Oracle, Upper San Pedro River Valley including Sierra Vista/Benson, Eastern Cochise County below 5000 ft including Douglas/Wilcox, Upper Gila River and Aravaipa Valleys including Clifton/Safford, White Mountains of Graham and Greenlee Counties including Hannagan Meadow, Galiuro and Pinaleno Mountains including Mount Graham, Chiricahua Mountains including Chiricahua National Monument, Dragoon/Mule/Huachuca and Santa Rita Mountains including Bisbee/Canelo Hills/Madera Canyon, Santa Catalina and Rincon Mountains including Mount Lemmon/Summerhaven, Baboquivari Mountains including Kitt Peak, Kofa, Central La Paz, Aguila Valley, Southeast Yuma County, Gila River Valley, Northwest Valley, Tonopah Desert, Gila Bend, Buckeye/Avondale, Cave Creek/New River, Deer Valley, Central Phoenix, North Phoenix/Glendale, New River Mesa, Scottsdale/Paradise Valley, Rio Verde/Salt River, East Valley, Fountain Hills/East Mesa, South Mountain/Ahwatukee, Southeast Valley/Queen Creek, Superior, Northwest Pinal County, West Pinal County, Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, Tonto Basin, Mazatzal Mountains, Pinal/Superstition Mountains, Sonoran Desert Natl Monument, San Carlos, Dripping Springs, Globe/Miami, Southeast Gila County

Phoenix Children's Hospital hits the road to raise awareness for childhood cancer

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - Samantha and her 10-year-old son, James, will tell you there's no roadmap back to normal after receiving life-altering health news.

The Zintak's journey started when James was just 18-months-old. He was diagnosed with a rare blood disease and needed extreme treatment, so they turned to Phoenix Children's Hospital.

"He had to go through chemo on [the] seventh floor of PCH and just was treated so amazingly," Samantha said. "Without them, he wouldn't be here today."

Thankfully, James is one of many success stories.

"We come every year 'til he's 21, basically checked head-to-toe and everything is good," Samantha said. "He's able to do anything that any little boy can do, which is amazing."

But every year, more than 300 patients are diagnosed with cancer at Phoenix Children's Hospital.

That's why they're kicking off their "Step Up, Step In, Stop" campaign with a bus tour to raise awareness to fight childhood cancer and funding for research.

"We've really monikered it to pinpoint on getting the community behind us and creating a big community challenge, so it's time to step up and help us fight the battle that these kids are going through," Tim Harrison said.

Samantha and James were able to join the rest of the PCH group for a portion of the stops this morning, making the trip extra special. Even though navigating the medical world can be confusing, Samantha encourages everyone to stop and ask for help.

"Lean on your family for support, ask questions to your nurses and doctors, but be positive," she said. "I know, I know how hard for sure it can be to get negative or start getting weird thoughts in your head, but just stay positive."