It was the end of my senior year in high school, and I was thrilled to be admitted into NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts to achieve my double bachelor's. I worked hard. Despite the many restrictions of the pandemic, I volunteered, performed virtually, and worked two jobs all in preparation for a bigger life.
I grew up in a family of four girls with a tireless single mom, Viviana. My whole life, my mother worked three jobs to provide for us. My dreams were her dreams too. I was focused, ready, and trusting that all the hard work I’d done had prepared me for the future and all to come.
One day, near the end of my senior year, I noticed a swollen lump on my neck, and tests confirmed it was to be the worst: cancer -- stage 2a bulk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), a type of blood cancer. My dancing and joyful life came to an abrupt stop. The road ahead was no longer NYU but chemotherapy, doctor appointments, needles, sickness, and emergency room visits with my devoted mother by my side.
But today, I stand before you with those difficult days in the past. At a time when I thought I would have to change my goals and dreams, that the promise of attending the Tisch School of the Arts was no longer possible, organizations such as Blood Cancer United proved me wrong. The power they’ve used for good reignited my dreams and inspired me to chase my life. The support I received from my family, my medical team, and many others has brought me to this moment ― singing at MetLife Stadium and Barclays Center and performing on multiple stages to advocate for childhood cancer awareness. Specifically, for those who nearly gave up on life as I did, I strive to push others to fight and win.
Mya
stage 2a bulk Hodgkin lymphoma (HL)
