Local teen overcomes cancer, dreams of becoming a chef

At the age of ten Andre Escobar discovered his love for baking pastries.

” My mom took me to a school, to a cooking class. The first thing I learned to make was banana Nutella bread, ” said Andre Escobar.

When Andre was 11-years-old his cooking classes took a back seat.

His health became a top priority.

” One day he woke up, I was about to take him to school, and he tells me, Mom, I can’t my leg hurts. I told him it was probably because he slept bad, and I took him to school, ” said Marisol Escobar, Andre’s mother.

Marisol never imagined the pain her son was experiencing would lead to the discovery that Andre had leukemia.

” Since the day that he was diagnosed, I cried. For about four months I cried every day, ” said Marisol.

Marisol quickly realized she needed to be brave and strong for her son.

Soon after Andre was diagnosed with Leukemia, he started chemotherapy at Rady Children’s Hospital in San Diego.

Marisol said that the beginning was extremely tough, there were times that Andre’s body would reject the chemotherapy.

” Every word that comes out of the doctor’s mouth, is like a punch that keeps knocking you down. It’s like he’s not even done telling you one thing when he’s already saying something else, ” said Marisol.

Through all of this Marisol has been astonished by her son’s bravery.

” He’s so mature and brave, he knew what he was facing. One day he told me that he had heard about Leukemia before and that he knew exactly what it was that he had, ” said Marisol.

As of late Marisol says Andre has been doing better.

He hasn’t been able to return to school, but he will start studying with a tutor soon, so he can continue his education.

Andre is now 12, and he hopes to be a great chef one day, it’s a passion that keeps him motivated.

Andre remembers the first meal he surprised his mom with.

“It was like an egg, and it was mixed with meat and vegetables,” said Andre.

If you ask Marisol her son is already a chef in the making.

“He told me Mom, I want to study to be a chef, but now, the sooner the better,” said Marisol.

Marisol said she has been surprised by the support she has received from ” Bailando por un Sueño ” (Dancing for a Dream).

Her family is one of the six families that will benefit from the dance competition the organization will be holding on October 25.

Copyright 2018 KYMA