Camila Gonzalez was just 4 years old when an aggressive leukemia diagnosis turned her childhood into a fight for survival. Her family came to City of Hope® seeking a bone marrow transplant and the hope that Camila would have a chance to grow up.
Fourteen years later, Camila is a thriving young adult. She’s embracing life, friends and new hobbies like horseback riding. She stays connected to City of Hope through the Childhood, Adolescent and Young Adult Survivorship Program and visits once a year for follow-up exams.
She says she looks forward to becoming “an old lady” someday — a simple wish that carries extraordinary meaning for someone whose future was once in doubt.
Camila’s story is special for many reasons. Not only is she a resilient and thoughtful young person with a bright future ahead; she is also living proof of the power of philanthropy.
For more than 50 years, City of Hope has been a leader in blood cancer care, including bone marrow and stem cell transplantation. That progress did not happen by chance. It was built through the extraordinary vision of City of Hope leaders, the dedication of physician-scientists and the steadfast support of donors who believed in a better future for blood cancer patients. Their perseverance transformed the field and helped save thousands of lives across the country.
Because of donor generosity, breakthroughs in blood cancer research continue to move forward at City of Hope. New discoveries are helping improve treatments, expand access to care and create more opportunities for patients to live longer, healthier lives.
The impact of philanthropy reaches far beyond a single patient, treatment or clinical trial. It lives on in the moments that follow — the milestones celebrated, the memories made and the futures made possible. Just think of all the experiences Camila has been able to enjoy with her family and friends because of advances in care supported by the generous donors that came before her.
If Camila’s story inspires you, there are two meaningful ways to help this Blood Cancer Awareness Month:
- Join the NMDP (formerly Be The Match) registry and consider becoming a blood stem cell donor. Every year, matching donors help give patients a second chance at life.
- Make a gift to City of Hope. As a nonprofit organization, City of Hope relies on the generosity of individuals, foundations and corporations to advance lifesaving research and patient care.
Your support is truly a gift of time. For Camila and so many others, thank you for helping make more moments for life possible.
With gratitude,
Kristin J. Bertell
Chief Philanthropy Officer