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Vanessa Franco has been down this road before.
At just 23, the Huntington Station woman is confronting Hodgkin’s Lymphoma for a second time, facing yet another grueling treatment regimen after beating the cancer once already, earlier this year.
Known as a fighter and a bright presence in her community, the University of Central Florida student is described as “a warrior” on a GoFundMe page that highlights her kindness, resilience and positive outlook despite the difficult path she’s been forced to walk the last two years.
This spring, Franco was diagnosed cancer free, following months of aggressive chemotherapy treatment. But by June, a final PET scan revealed a relapse.
Her second battle with cancer promises to be even tougher than the first, during which she endured 12 rounds of high-dose chemotherapy and immunotherapy, according to information on the GoFundMe page that is raising money to help offset her mounting medical costs.
Since August, she has undergone six additional rounds of chemotherapy, followed by a stem cell transplant surgery that comes with a recovery time of up to six months.
Currently, she is hospitalized for complications from that surgery, family friend Dora Ines Betancourt wrote on the GoFundMe page she established to help Franco. At the hospital, Franco is being closely monitored and receiving blood transfusions and other treatments to help stabilize her condition.
School on hold for aspiring dentist
A third-year biology student with plans to become a dentist, college has been put on hold a second time, as Franco has returned again to New York for her treatments.
Franco is an alumna of St. Anthony’s High School, where she graduated in the top 10 percent of her class and was a competitive swimmer and ran for the track and field team. She excelled in the pool, competing as a teen in the junior olympics.
The community has contributed more $11,000 via 137 donations to the GoFundMe campaign for Franco. The funds will be used to help cover the cost of her continued treatment, egg storage and travel.
“Vanessa’s journey is far from over, her battle with cancer has lasted over a year, but she is strong and determined,” Betancourt wrote. “She and her family have been fighting side by side every step of the way.”
Remaining grateful
Franco during a doctor’s visit this spring shared news of her remission diagnosis on Instagram, and last week in a heartfelt Facebook revealed her current cancer battle.
Top photo: Instagram/Vanessa Franco
