Help Vanessa Franco Fight Cancer a Second Time

My warrior, Vanessa is one of the most kind-hearted, generous, and inspiring people you'll ever meet. Her love for life is infectious, and she radiates positivity even in the toughest of times. I have been blessed to be her aunt and godmother, and her strength and optimism inspires me- and has made a lasting impact on everyone she meets.

Despite facing enormous challenges, Vanessa never lets her struggles define her. She always looks for the silver lining, no matter how difficult things get.

For those who don't know Vanessa, she's always been someone who gives her all. Growing up, she attended Saint Anthony's High School where she learned to excel in everything she put her mind to—sports, clubs, volunteering, and academics. She even started her own club, Global Ambassadors, to help others. She spent years working with children with special needs through her favorite club, Special Needs Ministry. Vanessa was also a competitive swimmer, earning multiple Junior Olympic medals and setting a New York State record. After graduating in the top 10% of her class, she went on to study Biology at UCF in the hopes of one day becoming a dentist.

But at 22, everything changed. During her third year at UCF, Vanessa started to experience troubling symptoms: night sweats, a persistent cough, extreme fatigue, and swelling around her collarbone. She was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma—a cancer that no one should have to face, especially at such a young age. After further tests at Memorial Sloan Kettering in New York, doctors confirmed she had Stage 4, advanced, aggressive Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Her world was turned upside down. Vanessa had to leave everything behind—her education, her job, and her friends—to begin a long and difficult battle against cancer. She underwent IVF treatment to freeze her eggs, to ensure that she would have the option of having children one day. Then came chemotherapy, which was incredibly tough, especially when a large mass on her trachea collapsed her lungs. This left her hospitalized for a week and she was placed on oxygen. But even through all of this, Vanessa kept her spirits high.

Vanessa went through months of grueling treatment, experiencing negative side effects, and complete hair loss- including her eyebrows and eyelashes. Vanessa completed 12 rounds of the strongest chemo: Doxorubicin, Vinblastine, Dacarbazine, Brentuciman Vedogin (AVD B-V) and immunotherapy. Which sent her into a full remission, Vanessa was so excited to be cancer free! Vanessa was able to return to Florida. For a short time, things seemed to be getting better. But in June, a final PET scan revealed a relapse. Vanessa's heart was shattered. At now 23, Vanessa is facing cancer a second time. Once again, she had to leave her life in Florida and return to New York for a more aggressive treatment plan.

Since August, Vanessa has undergone six more rounds of chemotherapy, chemo 7 days in a row, followed by a stem cell transplant using her own stem cells. She is now recovering from the transplant, which will take 3-6 months. However, complications have landed her in the hospital once again, where she is being closely monitored and receiving blood transfusions and other treatments to help stabilize her condition.

Vanessa's journey is far from over, her battle with cancer has lasted over a year, but she is strong and determined. She and her family, have been fighting side by side every step of the way. But the financial burden of medical bills, travel expenses, and ongoing treatment has become overwhelming.

We are asking for your help. The funds raised here will go directly toward:

Your support will provide Vanessa with some much-needed relief and hope during this incredibly challenging time. Most importantly, it will give her the chance to one day start the family she dreams of.

Let's show Vanessa that she is not alone in this fight. Any donation, no matter how small, will make a difference and help ease the financial burden so she can focus on what matters most—her health and her future.

We are deeply grateful for your support, whether through a donation, a share, or simply keeping us in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you for supporting Vanessa Franco and her family.