A Bond Forged in Love and Resilience
Sibling Spotlight
Sibling Support Specialist, Melissa, provided emotional support to Rubi, Cata, and April during Cata’s illness and the siblings many months of separation. Melissa also provided illness education, ensuring they understood Cata’s illness and treatment.
In the lives of Rubi (10), April (11), and Catalina (7) – three sisters whose bond is forged in love and resilience, every chapter tells a story of courage and strength amidst adversity.
Catalina, affectionately known as Cata, became the heart of their family. Diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in December of 2023, Cata’s diagnosis and treatment with cancer became a central focus for the sisters. This diagnosis brought up many worries, fears and memories of April and Cata’s biological mother who died from pediatric cancer when Catalina was a newborn baby.
In February the family welcomed a baby boy. For months the family was separated. Dad, Alberto, was bedside with Catalina in the hospital, April stayed with her paternal grandmother, while Rubi, Rubi’s mother and Cata and April’s stepmother (Carmen), were home with the newborn baby.
For April, the oldest sister, the hardest part was seeing Catalina in the hospital. The sadness weighed heavily, but she found comfort and joy spending countless hours by Catalina’s side in the hospital-playing, laughing and simply being there. Despite concerns about falling behind in school, April exceeded expectations. April’s hope for the future is “for my family to have a good life, free from hospital visits.”
Rubi, the middle sibling, found it hard to focus in school and often became emotional. Rubi’s empathy and protective nature towards her sister shone through. She rejoiced in Catalina’s victories, like ringing the bell signaling the end of treatment, yet her heart ached for other children who don’t get to celebrate that milestone. “Seeing Catalina sick broke my heart, but now that Catalina is better my heart is back together.”
Through everything, Rubi and April showed incredible strength balancing their responsibilities, physical separation, and support for Catalina. Their story shows that with love and sticking together, families can overcome anything.
Rubi and April’s support for Catalina proves how powerful sisterly love can be. They remind us that when we face tough times together, we can find strength and hope.
