Meet Malani – Retinoblastoma Warrior
“This journey with Malani has been difficult,” Reyna shared. “...Without the help of the NCSS, we wouldn’t have been able to make it to every single appointment on time. We are truly grateful for this program and what it does for families like ours.”
When Malani was diagnosed with retinoblastoma, her family’s world turned upside down, quickly becoming a blur of medical terms, hospital visits, and overwhelming fear.
Her mom, Reyna, remembers those early days vividly, days filled with panic, dread, and impossible questions: How could our baby have cancer? How are we going to afford this? How will we get through this?
Malani was only 17 months old when her cancer journey began, and her treatment started immediately at the closest children’s hospital over two hours away from the family’s home. Chemotherapy took a harsh toll on her little body. She experienced countless emergency room visits, blood transfusions, and long inpatient stays. Her energy faded, and her hair began to fall out. After her second round of treatment, Malani grew even sicker, with her blood counts dropping dangerously low.
At the same time, Malani’s parents were juggling impossible demands. With a 3-month-old baby at home and the crushing costs of travel and treatment looming, they worked as much as possible while also trying to stay by their daughter’s side. Their lives became a delicate balancing act, caring for their baby, supporting Malani through treatment, and trying to keep their family afloat.
Reyna and her husband were overwhelmed with fear and exhaustion. Moving closer to the hospital wasn’t an option, so instead they faced a grueling four-hour roundtrip drive—often with two young children crying in the backseat. Each passing day, the weight of it all pressed down harder, making the struggle feel nearly unbearable.
After eight grueling months of treatment, Malani’s family finally experienced the relief they had been hoping for: she is officially in remission! The painful procedures, sleepless nights, and emotional exhaustion have given way to overwhelming joy as tests confirmed there are no detectable cancer cells. While her family celebrates this incredible milestone, Malani will continue with routine follow-up scans to ensure she remains in remission.
How We Helped
“This journey with Malani has been difficult,” Reyna shared. “With the distance we drive to make sure our daughter is seen by her specialist and making sure she never misses an appointment while trying to make sure we are able to get there has been rough. Without the help of the NCSS, we wouldn’t have been able to make it to every single appointment on time. We are truly grateful for this program and what it does for families like ours.”
With Malani’s future looking bright, her dreams of being Stitch from Disney’s Lilo & Stitch are that much closer to coming true! Her joy, imagination, and determination are shining brighter than ever.
Malani’s story is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when families have the support they need and a community that refuses to let them walk alone.