Last week 4-year-old Violet Brielle Spataro fulfilled one of her dreams when she appeared on the “Ellen” TV show.
Violet, the granddaughter of islanders Yolanda and Mike Rugg, survived retinoblastoma — an eye cancer — as an infant, and she continues to face substantial health challenges while trying to help other children facing cancer.
Sporting cat ears and a kitten sweater when she was on the show, Violet was upbeat and clearly happy to be sitting next to host Ellen Degeneres.
“It’s so cool, Ellen,” Violet said about being there.
The 5-minute clip has been viewed nearly 10 million times since the show posted it online last week.
Violet’s mom, Shenay Spataro, appeared with her and shared Violet’s story, as well as information about their project, delivering packages they call Blessing Bundles to other children facing cancer and its aftermath. The packages are filled with toys, crayons, books and other kid-friendly items.
“They really need something to cheer them up,” Violet told Degeneres.
Violet sometimes delivers the packages to children in the hospital or leaves them for nurses to hand out, Spataro said in an interview following the show. The Spataros also ship them if requested to do so.
Donations are always welcome.
“We would love the help because there are so many kids that need the help,” Spataro said.
Since she was 7 months old, Violet has endured 12 rounds of chemotherapy, countless injections, two long hospital stays, dozens of labs and 20 exams under anesthesia, with another scheduled for this month, her mom said. This month’s test will determine if she is still in remission.
“You would never know she has gone through all of this,” she added. “She has been amazing through it all since day one.”
Grandmother Yolanda Rugg said Violet is a frequent visitor to Vashon and is particularly fond of helping host the well-known Halloween spooky trail at the Ruggs’ home on Cemetery Road — which will not be happening this year because the Ruggs are remodeling.
Like Spataro, Rugg commented on the young girl’s zest for life.
“She continues to shine through it all,” she said.
For more information about Violet, see violetbrielle.com or her Facebook page.
