Ever since she was little, Ana spent more time flying the skies of Puerto Rico than on earth. Alongside her father, Gerardo, a flight instructor, Ana learned to be a pilot and dedicated her studies and free time to accomplishing her dream of being an aeronautical engineer. Her parents had no doubts that their daughter would accomplish her dreams.
Unfortunately, in her senior year of high school, Ana began having severe headaches. Her father thought it was due to the worries of graduation and thinking about college; like many young people her age she was going through a lot of stress. Her headaches got worse and Ana began to have nausea and loose her balance when walking. Her parents were very worried and took her to a hospital in Puerto Rico where doctors diagnosed Ana with a brain tumor called medulloblastoma. After having surgery to remove her tumor, doctors referred Ana to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Just three days after contacting St. Jude, the Torres family was in Memphis to begin Ana’s treatments. “With this type of disease you have to act quickly, and there is no other hospital like St. Jude for this,” said Gerardo.
Currently, Ana is undergoing three cycles of chemotherapy and regular checkups. Her family hopes to soon be back in Puerto Rico to celebrate the holidays. “This disease can knock on anyone’s door. Although our family had never had this type of illness it knocked on ours,” said her father.
Created by St Jude Patients