Meet Abigail – Leukemia Warrior
"Organizations like the NCCS, people like Angie, our case manager, are beacons of hope and light that help us in times like these."
At just 2 years old, Abigail was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a moment that turned her family’s world upside down. Her dad, Jesus, remembers the disbelief that swept over him: “As a parent, news like this shakes you and shatters your life, heart, and soul. I was in disbelief for weeks; still, days go by when I wake up hoping it was just a bad, bad nightmare.”
Abigail’s cancer journey began with frightening challenges. After her very first chemotherapy treatment, she experienced an allergic reaction that left her face puffy and covered in rashes. Her parents, already overwhelmed with a newborn at home, were terrified of what lay ahead. To make matters worse, the family’s only car broke down, leaving them reliant on relatives for rides to the hospital. With mom unable to drive and dad missing work to ensure Abigail got to every appointment, their financial worries quickly grew. Devastatingly, Jesus lost his job entirely.
Despite the hardships, Abigail continued treatment with remarkable bravery. She endured weeks in the hospital with painful blisters and rashes that left her crying in agony at every diaper change. Jesus admits he struggles to find the positives in such a dark season of life. Yet, in the midst of her suffering, Abigail is the one bringing light to her family.
Even at her young age, she has a way of comforting her dad when he feels overwhelmed. “Don’t worry, Daddy, it’s okay,” she tells him. For Jesus, those simple, powerful words are a reminder to keep moving forward. “Looking at my daughter who still manages to smile, laugh, and play in spite of the truckload of medications, weekly chemo, and side effects, it’s her strength, her fighting spirit, her positive attitude that are the heartbeats keeping me going.”
Abigail finds security in her parents’ presence during every treatment. As long as she sees them beside her before she falls asleep for chemotherapy, and when she opens her eyes afterward, she feels safe. Her innocence, wisdom, and resilience have become the guiding light that helps her family push through this uncertain, frightening time.
How We Helped
When Abigail was diagnosed, her family quickly realized the emotional and financial weight of a cancer journey. That’s when they turned to The National Children’s Cancer Society (NCCS). With support from our Transportation Assistance Fund, the family was able to afford the frequent trips to and from the hospital an hour away from their home. The Emergency Assistance Fund also provided much-needed relief for unexpected expenses, helping to ease some of their biggest worries.
Jesus shared how much that support has meant: “Organizations like the NCCS, people like Angie, our case manager, are beacons of hope and light that help us in times like these.”
Through every hardship, Abigail’s courage continues to inspire her parents. As Jesus says, “Her strength, fighting spirit, and positive attitude are the heartbeats that keep me going, taking one step at a time, one day at a time with her hand holding mine and remembering her words that echo in my soul when I’m unable to hold back the tears of helplessness and hopelessness I feel because of the pain and suffering she’s been going through in this battle she never asked for.”
Though the road is difficult, Abigail’s journey is defined not by cancer, but by courage and love, reminders of the hope that carries them on.