Meet Keaton’s Kiddo – Jessenia

While getting ready to meet her new baby cousin at the hospital, Jessenia was getting into the car, when she suddenly turned pale and began gasping for air. Immediately, her mom called 911 and Jessenia was transferred to the ER by ambulance. After further tests, Jessenia was transferred to a local treatment hospital in the Sacramento area, and following more blood work, it was determined that Jessenia had cancer, and was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Receiving the news of her diagnosis was very hard on Jessenia. Although she was only 9 years old, her mother shared that she still wondered if she had done something wrong, but her medical team was supportive and reassuring, letting Jessenia know that there was nothing she did that contributed to her unfortunate diagnosis. Following her diagnosis, Jessenia soon began treatment and received chemotherapy every few weeks. As many children, unfortunately, experience as a result of chemotherapy treatments, Jessenia struggled with hair loss but managed to cope thanks to the support from her loving mother, Patricia.

In 2022, Jessenia entered the maintenance phase of her journey, but since then has unfortunately relapsed, and is remaining strong, positive, resilient, and hopeful. There have been many difficult moments for Jessenia and her mom, who is her primary support, but they are both determined to “kick cancer’s butt” as her mom says. Since the beginning of Jessenia’s cancer journey, her mom has always remained by her side, in and out of the hospital, and at every treatment. She has managed to stay strong for Jessenia, despite the emotional toll it’s taken on her as a parent and caregiver, and has made many sacrifices to provide the best care for Jessenia to ensure she has all her basic needs met.