LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – JJ De La Fuentes is celebrating the end of one long journey and the start of another, after overcoming bone cancer. On the other side of surgeries and hospital stays, he rang the bell Monday at UMC surrounded by family and friends.
He was surprised to see a long line of his supporters from family to friends from his hometown Lamesa, to his care team at UMC, in the McInturff Conference Center. They all cheered him on as he walked toward the bell signaling the end of his journey.
“A little overwhelmed, being honest with you. But, no I mean, this was the mindset from the start, to have this party to celebrate it. It was never a mindset of whether if I’m going to live this out or not, it’s a mindset of the process and how long it’s going to be,” he said.
De La Fuentes was diagnosed in the middle of his senior year at Lamesa High School. His classmates helped organize a senior walk for him at UMC before graduation last May.
He received treatment in Lubbock and at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, saying his faith helped push him through the process.
“My faith, my faith in the Lord, simple as that. It’s what I rely on. Of course, I’m human. I’m going to have my days. I’m going to have my worries. But I always go back to the Lord, pray, have faith in Him, and that’s what holds me together,” he said.
De La Fuentes said his community wasn’t just there to celebrate the end of his journey, but has walked alongside him throughout it.
“Everyone pitched in financially, or if not, they’re always checking up on me. When I had surgery, people made trips all the way to Houston just to come and stay with me for a couple of hours. Every single person here has played a role, and I’m so blessed that they’ve been in my life,” he said.
Now cancer-free, Fuentes plans to pursue a nursing degree at Lubbock Christian University.
“So hopefully with physical therapy, I’ll be more independent by the fall, and I’ll be doing in-person classes and all that at Lubbock Christian,” he said.
His goal is to one day work at MD Anderson, treating patients like himself, and encouraging them days of celebration like this one are possible.
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