“Our life changed on September 26, 2018, when my daughter went from playing with her brother to being unable to stand and having convulsions. That’s when I knew the worst was yet to come. That same night, the world stopped, the clock broke, and my soul died. We were admitted to the Maternal and Child Hospital of Granada, where, after an MRI, they informed us that it was an embryonic brain tumor. A rare tumor with only 100 cases worldwide. It can’t be happening to you. After an excellent surgery, they told us that the treatment couldn’t be done in Granada, and we were referred to Madrid, to Hospital Niño Jesús. You feel another blow to your chest; you must go alone with your daughter to Madrid, leaving your whole family in Granada. Especially your 4-year-old son, to whom you don’t know how to explain what is happening. You pack your bags and leave. You leave with even more fear than you already had; you leave alone, with the uncertainty of what will happen. But you go with your daughter, who is the most important thing in your life, and for whom you will find strength where there is none, laughter from your tears, and songs from your sorrows… All for her…
You arrive in Madrid and find a family that helps, hugs, consoles, and pampers you. I meet strong mothers, courageous mothers who are fighting alongside their children, and they teach me how to face this. I find Aladina, Carlos, Valeria, and countless volunteers. They wrap me in warmth as if I were part of their family. And most importantly, they make my daughter laugh, play, and have beautiful moments. That means the world to me. Alejandra is a girl who has taught us what strength, courage, struggle, and the will to live truly are. And we are going to live, my love; we are going to live together for many, many years. Because you are amazing, my little one. You are incredible. Together, we will victoriously reach the end of this journey. Together, we will win this battle. Don’t let go of my hand, my child, because without you, I am lost. Thank you, Aladina. Thank you, moms of Santa Luisa.”