Strength and Hope: Marcy’s Journey as A Childhood Leukemia Cancer Survivor 

“My mom’s home cooking made my hospital space [in the inpatient Rehab Center] smell like home, and when my mom would practice her English, and staff practiced their Spanish, it made the place sound like home. But when my mom became known to everyone as ‘Mama,’ it really did feel like home. This brought us so much comfort during those tough times.”

– Marcy Santos, Valley Children’s Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivor

At five years old, Marcy loved playing outside with her neighborhood friends. In her small hometown of Porterville, everyone knew everyone and her Mama was always happy to watch her enjoy digging in the dirt, dancing to music and exploring the outdoors.

Marcy recalled, “I loved nothing more than playing with my neighbors every day and I will never forget one day after school, feeling so tired and sore that I just didn’t have the energy to go outside. Mentally, I really wanted to get up and go, but my body just wouldn’t let me.”

The harsh conflict between Marcy’s mental mindset and physical reality was becoming a regular battle that would only worsen as her health would take a sudden, difficult turn.

When Marcy fainted one day, the gravity of her unexplainable condition became undeniable. A visit to her local emergency department led to an ambulance ride to Valley Children’s in Madera, where comprehensive testing revealed a heartbreaking truth: Marcy had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It was a diagnosis that no child should ever have to hear, but it also marked the beginning of a fight Marcy was determined to win.

Leukemia is a type of cancer that starts in the blood cells – it produces abnormal white blood cells that don't work properly and can crowd out healthy blood cells, making it hard for the body to fight infections, carry oxygen and stop bleeding. As a result, Marcy’s life became a series of hospital visits, overnight stays and treatments until Valley Children’s began to feel like a second home.

As she received targeted therapy, Marcy found comfort in the small joys provided by hospital staff. One special memory was when butterflies were brought to the hospital. “They gave me slices of oranges to feed the butterflies,” Marcy said. “It was such a beautiful and calming experience, one that I will never forget.”

While in the hospital as a child, Marcy's nurses helped her feed butterflies.

During a long stay in the rehab unit, Marcy’s Mama would cook for her – and any nearby staff in the dayroom of the Rehab Center where patients had access to a community kitchen. Although Marcy’s Mama spoke only Spanish, she and the care team managed to communicate and build a strong bond. “My mom’s home cooking made my hospital space smell like home, and when my mom would practice her English, and staff practiced their Spanish, it made the place sound like home. But when my mom became known to everyone as ‘Mama,’ it really did feel like home. This brought us so much comfort during those tough times,” shared Marcy.

Even on the hardest days, Marcy held onto hope because in her heart and in her mind, she knew she would overcome this battle one day. “Eechale ganas,” meaning “give it your all and do it with all your strength,” is what Marcy’s family would always tell her. And that she did.

When the treatment visits became fewer and fewer, Marcy finally received the news that she was cancer-free – it was a special moment of immense joy. But still, it took time for her to fully understand and feel like she was in fact cancer-free. It wasn’t until she was in the fifth or sixth grade that she truly believed it.

“I was at a family party, heard the music and without a second thought, I got up and joined my family to dance. When I was sick, I couldn’t enjoy music because I wasn’t able to move freely without pain. But in that moment, I felt like me again – moving and dancing as much as I wanted to without feeling any pain or having to hold myself back.”

In that moment, after years of the daunting battle, Marcy’s body and mind were finally on the same page. While the transition from being a cancer patient to just another kid was gradual, it was marked by everyday moments like this that seemed ordinary to most, but were extraordinary to Marcy.

Today, Marcy is 22 years old, cancer-free and just months away from graduating with bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Fresno State. Marcy is part of the bilingual authorization program (BAP), the integrated teacher education program (ITEP) and has accepted a student teaching position in her hometown at Summit Charter Academy, where she hopes to achieve her goal of being an elementary school teacher.

  
Today, Marcy is a thriving young adult and celebrates being cancer-free. She was recently awarded an academic scholarship from The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program.

Through her joy in the smallest victories, Marcy emerged from her battle with childhood cancer not just as a survivor, but as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the power of a child’s unyielding strength and resilience.

Read More Survivorship Patient Stories

The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program works with cancer-free patients who are at least three years from completion of treatment. Program services range from annual screenings to coordinating referrals to other specialties to providing late effects education and more. Read more stories from The Fresno Truck Center Childhood Cancer Survivorship Program participants >>