News and Press Releases

These are just a few of Sheridan's Press stories that were done on her amazing story and other stories about her foundation.

Childhood Cancer Awareness night to be held at Navajo basketball game Dec. 14

Altus Times - Childhood Cancer Awareness night to be held at Navajo basketball game Dec 14

News article about "Team Sheridan" for the 2012 CureSearch Walk

http://www.altustimes.com/view/full_story/19598864/article-%E2%80%98Team-Sheridan%E2%80%99-will-honor-Sheridan-Bautista-in-CureSearch-Walk?instance=popular

"A Story of My FriendSheridan"

By Renee Paxton, age 11

Kid’s Korner- Mangum Star-News June 7, 2012

Two years ago during our dance recital, the big girls were in charge of helping the little girls during our final dance on stage. I was so excited when I found out that my little girl was Sheridan Bautista! She had these big beautiful eyes, a smile that went from ear to ear, brown hair like mine; in fact, I think we could have passed as sisters. She was super sweet.

Sheridan’s mom and my mom got a kick watching us. You see at this time I was short for my age and I was only like two inches taller thanSheridan, but we are three years apart. I took my job as her protector very seriously. When you dance from side to side and front to back, you can accidentally step on a little one; so I made very sure that she was always out of the bigger kids way and I helped her know when she needed to move back up with me and dance.

Sheridanshared my love of dance and I just knew that she really needed to compete. The next dance year she tried out and was on the competition team. This same year we did the Nutcracker. It was during this time thatSheridanbegan complaining of her leg hurting. Dancers hurt naturally, but this kind of pain was different.

A few months later her mom and dad took her to the doctor and we found out that she had osteosarcoma. That’s cancer of the bone. The doctors tried everything to save her leg and save her life. It was hard for me to realize that I couldn’t protect her like I did on stage. I had to just pray to God and let Him take care of things.

There were a lot of ups and then came the downs. She had so many people who loved her and prayed for her and her family, but in the end Jesus really wanted her to come dance for Him in Heaven.

Here’s a good story to tell you so you will know just how specialSheridanwas. She was at OU Children’s Hospital for long periods of time for her treatment. One night she heard a little child crying across the hall. She asked her momma what the child was crying for. Her momma explained that the child was probably scared. Sheridanwas facing the same kind of problems this child was, but instead of feeling sorry for herself, she just wanted this other child to feel better. She asked her momma if she would take her to the gift shop and buy this other child something that would help her feel better.

That wasSheridan. When she found out that her hair was going to fall out; she didn’t mind because she knew it would grow back again.

I don’t know if there were times when she was scared or not. All I know is that every picture that was taken of her had her with her famous big smile on her face. Her whole family praised God throughout every treatment and every surgery. Even during her funeral, they praised God! Sheridan and her whole family are very tough and brave and I know they have shown a whole lot of people God’s love!

When I found outSheridanhad cancer, I asked my mom if I could grow my hair out and donate it to Wigs for Kids. She said yes and decided to grow hers out too. Every time I washed my hair, or wrestled with all those tangles, I just thought ofSheridanand how proud she would be that someone would get my hair. Each time I danced on stage this last year, I dedicated my solo toSheridan. I prayed for her and her family and I know that she and Jesus were dancing right along with me. I sure hope I made you proudSheridan. I know we will dance together again someday!

Sheridanwas a very strong little girl, who was always full of life. She was strong in her faith, and was always willing to help others. Towards the end of Sheridan’s chemo treatment, she asked her parents what she could do to help other children with cancer. It was her wish to create a foundation to help raise awareness of childhood cancer and funds for a cure. Through her foundation, she also wanted to help other children with cancer and their families with their financial challenges. After Sheridan’s passing in December, her parents felt that they needed to continue their daughter’s dream. Sheridan’s family has established “Sheridan’s Sunshine Foundation” for this purpose. In the future, it is their hope that it evolves into a national fundraising movement, complete with thousands of supporters across Oklahomaand the nation; carrying on Sheridan’s legacy of giving and of Hope. For more information about her foundation, please visit their website at www.sheridansunshinefoundation.com. With your help and support, hopefully no other family will have to hear the words “your child has cancer” ever again.

Sheridan's Sunshine Foundation Memorial Golf Tournament scheduled for April 14

http://www.altus.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123296807

The story about Sheridan's Sunshine Foundation Golf Tournament