Childhood Cancer Awareness Month Starts Now

September marks the beginning of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

A Houston County family thought their lives would change after their 17-year-old daughter Angelica Rios was diagnosed with Ewing’s sarcoma last May. Instead, Rios says the only thing that’s changed is her hair loss.

“After that it was just like chemo and after chemo, my hair fell out,” says Rios.

Rios laughs as she talks about her hair falling out and her smile is a result of her positive attitude.

She says, “Even though I’ve been through a lot, my hair is all gone, my eyelashes and everything have fallen out and I’ve been through cancer, I’m not as weak as it would seem.”

Just last week Rios had a tumor removed, but she isn’t down about it. She says it just adds to her life experiences.

“I feel like I can help other people and understand what other people are going through.”

Now as her journey continues Rios remembers this has not been an easy feat, but it’s her courage to continue that counts.

“I’m a stronger person now and I can stand by myself and I’m not just that cancer person.”

Rios is currently a senior at Houston County High School and hopes to have a career in the arts.