💛 My Birthday Fundraiser for BeholdBeGold 🎂✨

On February 17, I celebrate another year of life, something that at one point was never guaranteed. 💛

At just 10 years old, I was fighting for my life against an aggressive form of childhood cancer. What began as high fevers, bruising, limping, and overwhelming fatigue quickly became a battle that would change my life forever.

This birthday is more than a celebration. It is a reminder that survival came with purpose. 🎉✨🎂

In 2003, I was diagnosed with pre-B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. During treatment, I endured complications no child should ever face. I survived a near-death medical emergency, a month-long vegetative coma, a stroke that left me paralyzed from head to toe, multiple central nervous system infarcts, and a severe infection that required the removal of my port. I spent an entire year hospitalized.

I had to relearn how to speak, walk, eat, write, and perform daily tasks. At one point, my cognitive functioning resembled that of a four-year-old. I underwent 15 different chemotherapy agents and numerous invasive procedures.

In 2006, I completed treatment.

But just six months later, at age 13, I experienced a Central Nervous System relapse. Once again, I underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Once again, I leaned on faith and determination, holding on to one mindset: If I survived it once, I will survive it again. 🙏💛

In 2008, at age 15, I completed treatment for the second time.

Being declared cancer-free was a victory 🎗️ but survivorship revealed a deeper truth.

Childhood cancer does not end when treatment ends.

As a childhood cancer survivor, I now live with lifelong late effects, including vision complications, dental challenges, chronic fatigue, cognitive impairments and learning disabilities, psychosocial struggles, and in 2019, an epilepsy diagnosis connected to my treatment history.

Survivorship is layered. It affects the body, the brain, emotional well-being, identity, and long-term health. It requires ongoing care, understanding, advocacy, and connection.

That understanding is what led to the creation of BeholdBeGold. ✨💛

BeholdBeGold was founded to empower and support childhood cancer survivors facing the late effects of treatment. Our mission centers on education, advocacy, community connection, and survivor-centered resources specifically for childhood cancer survivors. We believe survivorship is lifelong and deserves visibility long after remission.

Over the past six years, BeholdBeGold has made meaningful impact locally, nationally, and internationally 🌎 What began as sharing my lived experience as a childhood cancer survivor has evolved into a nonprofit advancing education and advocacy, fostering survivor peer support and meaningful community connections, providing survivor-centered resources, engaging in policy and research conversations, and strengthening survivorship dialogue worldwide.

This year marks a powerful milestone.

BeholdBeGold has officially transitioned into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization! 💛✨😍

What started from lived experience and resilience has grown into an established nonprofit committed to long-term impact for childhood cancer survivors.

In honor of February 17, my goal is to raise $1,717 to support childhood cancer survivors navigating life beyond treatment. 🎂💛

💛 What Does Your Gift Make Possible?

Your donation helps:

📚 Expand late effects education for survivors and families
📣 Strengthen advocacy and awareness efforts for childhood cancer survivorship
🤝 Foster meaningful peer support and community connection
🧠 Provide survivor-centered wellness and emotional support resources
🔗 Connect survivors to trusted survivorship programs and support networks

Every gift moves us closer to ensuring childhood cancer survivors are not only celebrated for surviving, but supported for life.

If my story has ever inspired you, encouraged you, or moved you, I invite you to give in honor of this birthday and stand with childhood cancer survivors. 💛

Survivorship has no expiration date.

Together, we can ensure no childhood cancer survivor walks this journey alone. 🎗️✨

Thank you for celebrating life with me and supporting BeholdBeGold! 🎂💛

Juanita’s Birthday Fundraiser for BeholdBeGold