In the summer of 2023, Daraly Arredondo, a 15-year-old from Arrey, New Mexico, was diagnosed with Stage 2 high-risk Hodgkin’s lymphoma. She was preparing to start her junior year at Hot Springs High School in Truth or Consequences when she noticed a swollen lump on her neck. The condition led to several hospital visits. Doctors found that the cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and identified six tumors in her chest.
Daraly first visited her pediatrician, then received emergency care in Albuquerque, and was later admitted to UNM Children’s Hospital. The diagnosis followed a biopsy and surgery to implant a port for chemotherapy. She underwent eight days of treatment and stayed in the hospital for 21 days. Her mother, Viridiana, became her main caregiver and left her job to support Daraly. Her father, Alberto Sr., continued working and cared for Daraly’s two brothers.
The treatment affected Daraly’s immune system, so she could not attend school or meet friends in person. She switched to homeschooling and missed regular school activities. Her family and friends supported her through calls and meals, including food prepared by her grandmother…