Our Story 

My name is Camila, and my journey with blood cancer started when I was four years old, and my dad was diagnosed with Leukemia. We never expected that our lives would change so rapidly.

 

I had faith that Dad would have the best treatment and that he would win his battle. In 2013, our family had an early Christmas celebration as he was preparing for a bone marrow transplant. The transplant happened on Christmas Eve, a holy, memorable night filled with faith and hope for a miracle. Dad was making progress with his treatment. But one cold winter night, not soon after, we received the call that forever changed our lives. He died the weekend of Valentine’s Day, a day that symbolizes love–the love and devotion Dad had for me and his family.

 

As a family, we wanted to channel our grief and loss into an opportunity for hope. Therefore, in 2014, following my dad’s death, our family created Team Tobon and joined the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s (LLS) Light the Night event to honor my dad’s memory. Every year on the month of his birthday, we gather with family and friends to hold gold lanterns and walk in memory of my dad and all the loved ones lost to cancer.

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As Team Captain, I spearhead our fundraising efforts to raise support and increase awareness about the LLS mission. Understanding and harnessing the power of personal experience in soliciting volunteers and donations, Team Tobon has recruited more than 500 participants and received pledges from over 800 donors. 

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My advocacy work with the LLS is an integral part of my life as someone who has seen firsthand the impact these blood cancers have on individuals and families. I passionately continue with our commitment to raising awareness and funds for new research and patient support year after year. Throughout our collective efforts, Team Tobon has helped raise over $425K for the LLS mission. Recently, I created the first-ever Hispanic ambassador program to support the LLS Hispanic outreach to increase awareness and provide resources to the Latinx community.