San Antonio Teen and Her Mom Tell Story of Blood Cancer Diagnosis Before ‘Light the Night’

SAN ANTONIO – Drawing on a large sketchpad is the escape of 16-year-old Liz De Leon.

The art she creates imitates her life. She spent hours drawing a picture of a girl sitting outdoors.

“I just wanted to be outdoors because I was always in the hospital and I really wanted to get out,” De Leon said.

In March 2021, doctors diagnosed De Leon with a form of leukemia, a blood cancer. She was only 12 years old.

“What I was worried about was, ‘If I have cancer, how will I get to school?’” De ​​Leon said.

De Leon’s mother, Sandra, was his sole caregiver. De Leon’s daughter’s treatment also affected her.

“Always tired,” said Sandra De Leon. “I was always tired. I felt like I never got enough sleep.”

Sandra balanced caring for her own mother, who died while her daughter was receiving treatment.

“I think surviving this is faith,” Sandra De Leon said.

Sandra De Leon described her faith as unshakable.

“I can honestly say it never crossed my mind that (Liz) was going to die or get even worse,” she said.

The worst parts of Liz’s cancer journey are behind her. She said she is now in remission.

“Looking at it now, it’s like, ‘Wow. I can’t believe I went through this,” said Liz De Leon.

Liz De Leon is now a high school student pursuing her associate’s degree. She also can’t wait to learn to drive.

Liz will be one of the heroes honored during the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual walk called Light up the night on October 19th.

“How has cancer changed your life?” Ibarra asked.

She understands the importance of an event like Light the Night

“I know I can do this event for Light the Night and tell my story to other people,” Liz De Leon said.

How to donate and participate

Register now or make a donation and join KSAT in celebrating and remembering patients navigating their cancer journey and honoring those lost. The walk is approximately one kilometer long. People who use strollers or wheelchairs and have pets are welcome to participate.

Donating is easy. Every contribution raised will go towards life-saving research and support for patients diagnosed with cancer. All monetary donations are tax deductible.

KSAT Community Phone Bank

To help raise awareness about blood cancer and support the cause, the KSAT Community will host a phone bank in Thursday, October 17th during Good Morning San Antonio from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m.

Representatives from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society will answer calls and accept financial donations. All contributions collected during the live broadcast will help support blood cancer research.