A Fresno State student is being recognized as one of Northwestern Mutual’s 2023 Childhood Cancer Survivor Scholarship recipients.
It’s part of the foundation’s ongoing effort to alleviate the financial burden of families impacted by childhood cancer.
“I was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at the age of two, and I had treatment when I was six. I was treated at Valley Children’s in Madera,” Jakob Barrera told Action News in a 2019 interview.
In
, Barrera opened up to Action News about his battle with cancer. It was also his first time sharing his story.
“Growing up, I always saw myself as different, that I wasn’t as good as everybody else. I was just inferior, different,” Barrera said.
The now 22-year-old eventually learned it’s a blessing to be different, and his story could make a positive impact on other children and their families.
“I’m pretty big with Valley Children’s Hospital,” he said. “Whenever they need someone to be like a showcase, or spokesperson or just represent them, they usually pick me.”