Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Honoree​

Iliana Rivera

Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL)

patient

Iliana at 2 years old absolutely loved all things Disney, she loved watching movies and sing-alongs. She loved playing outside with her siblings and riding her Peppa the Pig scooter.

Three weeks after celebrating her 2nd birthday, her parents noticed Iliana was looking fatigued, very pale, and bruising easily. She was getting fevers that would not break and they were worried. After visits to the urgent care and a week of no improvement, they rushed her to the emergency room. Minutes passed and it felt like days for her parents. Her attending physician gave Iliana’s parents her diagnosis: Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). They were told that had they waited any longer she most likely would not have awakened from her sleep.

Today, iliana is doing great. She is a fighter. She is still taking her chemotherapy every night at home and that doesn’t stop her from being that joyful, smiling, loving little girl. Seeing her personality shine through this journey has been a blessing to all of her family.

Iliana is really looking forward to the last day of treatment – as she says she “hates being poked!” She still loves playing outside but due to chemo she cannot be in the sun for long periods of time, so she is excited and can’t wait to be able to play without restrictions. One thing her family has learned and realized throughout this journey is how strong they are, stronger than they could’ve ever imagined.

-Jessica Robles, mother

read more about our childhood cancer honorees

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