Welcome back to the Lighthouse Podcast! We are so glad you are joining us for the August episode. In this episode, we have a candid conversation with Juanita Prada, who opens up about their extraordinary journey from a young cancer patient to a resilient advocate. Juanita walked through Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) childhood cancer starting at age 10. She has been cancer-free since 2008 when she completed treatment at the age of 15.
We start the episode by getting to know Juanita beyond the diagnosis, exploring a lesser-known facet of their life. We then move into the pivotal moments of her cancer journey, discussing the initial diagnosis during childhood, the challenging relapse as a teenager, and the stark differences in treatment experiences across these stages. Juanita sheds light on the often overlooked delayed side effects of chemotherapy and radiation, sharing personal encounters with uncommon side effects. We also dive into her struggles in school and the sacrifices they made to graduate alongside their peers.
Last but not least, we hear about Juanita's ministry - "Be Hold Be Gold." She shares her dreams and hopes for the future of this inspiring initiative and highlights some defining moments that have shaped their journey. She also offers valuable advice for parents on preparing their children for potential delayed side effects of cancer treatment. Juanita reflects on the evolution of her faith and relationship with God throughout her journey, encouraging those affected by childhood cancer. We conclude with ways our listeners can support this mission and contribute to raising awareness and support for childhood cancer survivors.