They say that dynamite comes in small packages. This little girl definitely packs a powerful charge of inspiration, motivating others to go the extra mile in the battle against blood cancers.
More than five years ago, Cynthia Aguirre was a growing toddler who should have been zipping around her home like any normal, curious 22-month-old. But when she started getting tired, complained that her legs hurt and developed a high fever, her family took her to the doctor.
 Cynthia Aguirre and her uncle, Robert Aguirre, have drawn attention to the importance of leukemia research. (Photo by Maria Aguirre) |
They got news no parent ever wants to hear: Their daughter had acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Since then, the Riverside, Calif., girl has patiently gone through treatment after treatment at City of Hope. In one year alone, she was hospitalized 23 times. She completed therapy in August 2007, but by October of that year, the cancer returned.
Her bravery throughout treatment (her latest round ended March 4) inspired her aunt and uncle to run a marathon in her honor.
Robert Aguirre and Cindy Moran-Aguirre trained with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program to complete the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach in February, collecting pledges along the way. It was during that marathon that Robert Aguirre shared his niece’s powerful story with a Team in Training manager.
Later, when the society’s Orange County/Inland Empire chapter was determining who its “2010 Girl of the Year” should be, that training manager remembered Cynthia’s inspiring story.
Cynthia’s Girl of the Year honor is part of the group’s annual “Man & Woman of the Year” fundraising contest in which volunteers across the country engage in a spirited competition in honor of children who are local blood cancer survivors.
In her new role, Cynthia will appear at events to share her story, helping inspire and encourage volunteers who raise awareness of the importance of blood cancer research, just as she did her aunt and uncle.
