The journey of surviving cancer can be a daunting and exhausting experience. However, with the right attitude and a strong support system, one can emerge victorious. Taking inspiration from someone who has managed to overcome the formidable disease helps in generating hope in the hearts of many. One such person is Liza Delgado, who has not only survived cancer thrice in her lifetime but has also become a guiding light for others battling the same.
Liza Delgado was first diagnosed with stage III breast cancer in 2003 when she was only 35 years old. The news was a thunderbolt for her, and she felt like her world had come crashing down. As a wife and a mother of two young children, Liza had no choice but to fight. With the support of her family, friends, and medical professionals, she underwent chemotherapy, mastectomy, and radiation.
Delgado’s journey was brutal, as the disease had spread to her lymph nodes, making it more challenging to beat. She underwent six months of chemotherapy and put on a brave face while enduring the side effects of the drugs. However, her fighting spirit never wavered. Her positive attitude and determination to defeat cancer helped her come out stronger.
After going through her treatment, Delgado wanted to make it easier for other cancer patients in their journey. She started volunteering and mentoring other women who had been diagnosed with breast cancer. She felt that it was essential for others to know that they were not alone and that there were others who had been in their shoes in the past.
In 2014, Delgado was diagnosed with cancer again, this time with stage IV cancer. The news was devastating for her, yet she did not lose hope. Delgado underwent additional surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy to fight the cancer.
Just when Liza thought that she had beaten cancer for the second time, it came back once again, this time in her liver in December 2017. The news came as a shock to her and her family, but they refused to let it break them. Delgado underwent targeted therapy treatment, and her body eventually responded well.
Through it all, Delgado persevered, her faith never failing. Her battles with cancer inspired her to reach out to others and help them navigate their journey. She became a co-founder of a non-profit organization called the Enduring Hearts Foundation, which focuses on funding research for pediatric heart transplant patients.
The Enduring Hearts Foundation honours Liza’s late son, who passed away from an undiagnosed heart condition. The foundation’s aim of funding research in paediatric heart transplant patients was driven by Liza’s desire to prevent other families from experiencing the loss she had experienced.
Liza Delgado’s journey reflects the fighting spirit that every cancer patient requires to win the battle. Her story is a fundamental reminder that when one faces cancer, they are not alone. There are people who have gone through it in the past and have come out stronger and more resolute. This fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude is what sets survivors apart from those who could not make it to the other side.
Liza Delgado’s story provides a glimpse of hope and inspiration to all those who are struggling with cancer. Her ability to embrace joy despite facing several challenges is admirable, and one can take significant motivation from her. She has become a role model for others battling the disease, reminding them that they too can survive cancer if they possess a strong will and a positive mindset.
