Inspirational Stories

In July 2020, just four weeks away from Zulay’s 4th birthday, she became sick with a fever, bruises, and weakness. We made a trip to Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, Texas. After about two hours, the doctor came back with the news no parent ever wants to hear. She said, “I’m sorry, Zulay has acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Zulay was then admitted to the ICU.

After two and a half years of intense chemotherapy, lumbar punctures, bone marrow procedures, IV and home medications, ER visits, and hospital stays, Zulay rang the bell on March 23, 2023, celebrating the end of her treatment and into remission.

Even though this experience was one of the hardest, we’ve had to face as a family, we have learned so much from it and are thankful for the outcome. We now try to donate as much as we can and when we can. We hold small fundraisers in September in honor of leukemia awareness month, and in July, we hold a big fundraiser in honor of the month she was diagnosed. This will always be a part of us, and we will always try to grow our fundraiser bigger every year.

Zulay is the most strong, brave, and beautiful little girl. She is now seven years old, in 2nd grade, and thriving and glowing more than ever. At such a young age, she has a whole story to tell a beautiful one. She loves her family and loves to sing. #ZulayStrong

This story was written by a parent.