My aunt, Lucia, passed away exactly 2 years ago from today, the day before my high school graduation. In the course of two years my aunt gradually experienced blood in her stool, stomach pains, nausea and vomiting, but never went to the doctor because she was uninsured and had very little money.
Around March 2013 my aunt experienced a sharp, stabbing pain in her stomach that resulted to vomiting blood and fainting while in the shower. Not too long after being admitted into the hospital the doctor diagnosed her with stage 4 Small Intestine Cancer. The cancer had spread all over her abdominal cavity and was a miracle that she was still alive. Unfortunately, however, after undergoing intense chemotherapy for over two and a half months, she was made hospice and passed away one week later.
My cancer research is dedicated to my aunt.
She was a mother of two, and a grandma of two. She was the only one that made the effort to having family gatherings to help keep our family close and in touch with each other. She was loved by many, including her co-workers from the three jobs she had. She was hardworking, intelligent and sweet, and did not deserve to go the way that she did.
Cancer research is crucial to help prevent deaths like my aunt’s. Research will help enhance our understanding of cancer and help improve prevention, detection and treatment. Although I probably won’t find a cure for cancer within the next 10 weeks, I hope that my research does have some significance in helping progress new and important findings.
– Priscilla Castillo, UTPA
