Melisa Garcia and her sister, Denise, are excited about the new school year at Arizona State University. Melisa, 18, just started her freshman year, while Denise, 20, is a junior.

The Glendale sisters’ faces light up when they talk about their future – Melisa wants to be a social worker while Denise is studying to be an accountant.

Their parents, Dulce and Tony Garcia, couldn’t be prouder, especially since their family lived through the unimaginable experience of having a child diagnosed with cancer.

“Melisa was 4-years-old when she became ill,” Dulce said. “Our doctor thought she had the flu, but when we took her to the hospital, she was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia, a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells.”

For the next two years, Melisa received intense chemotherapy while the Garcia family tried to cope with all the challenges that a childhood cancer diagnosis brings.

“I remember being in the hospital and having hair come out of my head. It was very scary,” Melisa recalled.

As a sibling, Denise was also frightened.

“Melisa became sick during my first year of kindergarten, and I remember having a breakdown in school,” she said. “I was very worried about her and my parents.”

Support from Nonprofit

Shortly after Melisa’s diagnosis, a social worker introduced the Garcia family to Children’s Cancer Network (CCN). The Chandler-based nonprofit supports children and families throughout their cancer journey with programs and services designed to provide financial assistance, promote education, encourage healthy lifestyles, and create an awareness of issues they face related to childhood cancer.

“We received gas and food cards, and we attended their Christmas and Halloween parties…they really embraced us and made us feel like family,” Dulce said. “The experience was so positive that our family now volunteers regularly. We feel it’s important to help other families and give them hope.”

CCN’s support continues even after a child grows up. Patti Luttrell, CCN executive director and co-founder, said the nonprofit established the John W. Luttrell Scholarship in 2005 after her father-in-law passed away from brain cancer.

“My husband, Stephen, and I know firsthand how terrifying and stressful a child’s cancer diagnosis is to the entire family,” Luttrell said. “Our son, Jeff, was also diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia 30 years ago. When Stephen’s father passed, we established a scholarship in his name for survivors of childhood cancer, their parents, and siblings, as well as immediate family members of those who did not survive their cancer.”

Last month, during a special ceremony at CCN, Melisa and Denise Garcia were both presented with scholarships that they will use toward college tuition.

“We are so grateful for the support of Children’s Cancer Network,” Melisa said. “It’s a big help to start college with some support, and it’s a great feeling to be recognized in this way.”

Denise said there were 44 other scholarship recipients that evening.

“I was honored to be recognized with so many others, and it was very touching to learn their stories,” she said.

September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. CCN is selling raffle tickets throughout the month for a chance to win a 2023 Toyota Camry. Each $25 ticket will purchase a $25 gas card for a childhood cancer family in need.

Click here to learn more about Children’s Cancer Network, or to purchase a raffle ticket.