Local teen puts others first as she fights cancer

A local teen puts on a fake smile for the sake of others. She’s fighting cancer.

16-year-old Janelle Sanchez of Brawley said she has to act strong in front of others so that her condition won’t bring them down.

“I try not to let it affect other people. I know it’s not the case, but,” Sanchez said.

She said her condition began unexpectedly early this year while playing a game of softball with some friends.

“I just felt horrible, like I was out of breath. The pain was unbearable. My vision was going blurry. For some reason all the colors that I saw turned neon. It was too bright for me. I was looking at the grass, and the grass turned neon green,” Sanchez said.

At first, she didn’t want to go to get checked at the hospital out of fear of needles. When she finally went, she was diagnosed with leukemia. It was a shock to her and the entire family.

“I was. I’m not going to lie to you, because I was. And it was a bad time. But, I got over it. At first, I was sad. Then, it’s going to pass. It’s going to pass. My first initial thought was, one day I’m going to look back, I had cancer, that’s crazy,” Sanchez said.

She’s undergoing chemotherapy treatment. She’s being homeschooled during this time. She said she’s trying hard to live a regular teenage life.

“I have my friends. I hang out with them. We go places. There’s not much to do here, but we go to the movies and just do little things, ” Sanchez said.

Her family is one of several getting help from a local dancing competition – Bailando Por Un Sueno – that raises funds for their medical needs.

Marisela Bonillas said this is the 5 th year they’ve put on the event hoping to raise thousands of dollars for the families.

“Every child is different. Janelle is another beautiful person to me. I see courage, strength,” Bonillas said.

Sanchez would love to be at the event, but it depends on her medical condition at that time.

“I hope so. I hope not to be in the hospital getting chemo, or something, since I’m still getting chemo. I stay for weeks at times. I hope I’m not over there, I can go and be there and cheer them on.”

The Sanchez family and five other families fighting cancer will meet with their dancing stars this Friday. The Bailando Por Un Sueno event is planned for late October.

Watch our newscast for more information.