Fort Worth charity event honors child cancer victim, uplifts those fighting disease

Adriana Nixon loved playing softball and had a dream of someday being a police officer.

Sadly, both of those were taken away when she passed away on Feb. 5 at age 8 after battling stage 4 hepatocellular carcinoma, a liver cancer and one of the rarest childhood cancers. Studies show that less than one child in a million is diagnosed with HCC, and it is very resistant to chemotherapy, making a liver transplant the only option for a cure.

In her memory, and in the hopes of helping other children fighting cancer, the Fort Worth Police Department is sponsoring the first Adriana’s Angels Charity Softball Tournament on July 16 at Rockwood Park. Adriana’s Angels is the foundation in her honor, created to raise funds to help youths and their families battle cancer.

Adriana was made an honorary Fort Worth police officer in early 2020.

“Her mom reached out to me in January of 2020. We planned a big day for her with helicopter rides, a driving track, S.W.A.T,” recalled officer Tracy Carter of the FWPD. “From that point on she was a part of the FWPD family.

“We’re moving and rolling and getting this tournament going. She wanted to serve and that’s what we’re doing for her.”

Police department coed softball teams, recreational and organized coed teams, and other first responder teams are invited to participate in the tournament. Participating teams are guaranteed two games. Teams interested in participating can email info@adrianasangels.com or visit adrianasangels.org.

“That was one of her most cherished days while she was going through this battle,” said her mother, Andrea Peterson, of the FWPD event. “When I asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up she said, ‘I want to be a police officer or an art teacher.’ She also loved art very much.

“It means so much that the FWPD is doing this, and I know how much it would have meant to Adriana. There are 47 children per day (according to childrenscancercause.org) in the U.S. diagnosed with cancer and it’s very underfunded in the fight against it.”

Adriana a ‘natural at everything’

Adriana was first diagnosed in July 2019. After receiving eight rounds of chemotherapy and undergoing two surgeries, it appeared a lifesaving miracle came her way when she received a liver transplant on her 7th birthday, Feb. 28, 2020.

She could be a vibrant kid again, enjoying all the things a youth should be loving in life. However, a few weeks before her 8th birthday came the crushing news that she had relapsed.

The only thing doctors could do was provide quality of life as there is nothing else that can be done medically for relapsed HCC.

“She fought so hard and she was so brave. She would comfort me. She knew what was going on, but she stayed so strong right up to the end,” Peterson said, fighting back tears.

Adriana continued to play softball through her treatment, as much as possible. She played third base for Crush, an elite level team in the Tri-Cities league in Hurst.

“She was a natural at everything, sports, arts, school, she soaked it all up, and if she did it, she always did it to the very best of her ability,” Peterson said.

Carter remembered that fateful weekend when Adriana passed away. It was also when the seed was planted for the foundation that now honors her memory.

“It was Thursday and it snowed. I got her mom to the hospital, Adriana was already there. I slid over there to get her, but I was going to get her there come Hell or high water,” he said. “She passed away that Saturday.

“On the way her mom said she (Adriana) wanted a foundation. I said I’ll get the people who know how and we’ll get one started. We got our 501(c)3 faster than I think anybody has ever done after we applied in the spring.”

Carter said that while the tournament is for adults only this year, there is discussion of expanding it to younger ages, perhaps as soon as next year.

Passing on her legacy

Among the work of Adriana’s Angels is the continuation of Adriana Strong Care Packs, presented to other youngsters to boost their spirits as they contend with cancer. They include items such as coloring books, Legos (Adriana was a master builder, her mom said), gift certificates to Target (Adriana’s favorite store) and stuffed animals.

“When she was in the hospital for 50 days when she first got sick she said, ‘I want to do this for other kids,’” Peterson reflected through misty eyes. “She was such a caring little girl, always thinking of what she could do for someone else.”

Peterson said the foundation will also have other fundraisers, such as during September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. Folks can also make donations in honor of birthdays, etc. And, of course, there will be something special in February, she said.

“The foundation, the tournament, it’s all about honoring her legacy and maintaining her memory,” Peterson said. “And doing our best to keep other families from going through this.”