Last summer, Rosinella Fabian was searching online for leukemia foundations to support when she saw a face she hadn’t seen in decades.
Her daughter asked who it was.
Fabian’s answer? “That’s the person who saved my life.”
Despite not seeing his face since she was a child, Fabian immediately recognized Dr. W. Paul Bowman, a longtime Fort Worth-based pediatric oncologist. Bowman began treating the then-Abilene native in 1988 when Fabian was 4.
The two reunited in February through Leukemia Texas, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting patients through programs and treatment funding. Bowman and Fabian’s lives intersected over 30 years ago at Cook Children’s Medical Center, which remains a hub for pediatric cancer treatment and research nationwide.
Bowman has stayed in touch with many patients throughout his 50-year career devoted to caring for children with cancer.
“It’s awesome just to see them survive, thrive and flourish,” Bowman said. “I’ve been to quite a few weddings. And I’ve been to a few funerals, too, because these diseases are not universally curable.”
Seeing Fabian again was special, given the lack of communication between the two over several decades, Bowman said.
And for Fabian, the reunion was a full circle moment. As she sought to support others going through the leukemia journey, she found the person who guided her through hers.
“I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for him,” she added.
Leading the line
Fabian was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia when treatments were steadily improving thanks to clinical trials at the time.
In the 1970s, five-year survival rates hovered at about 57%, according to the National Institutes of Health. By the time Fabian started treatment, the rate was closer to 75%, Bowman said.
Part of that increase is due to clinical trials conducted for children with acute lymphocytic leukemia by Cook Children’s alongside UT Southwestern. The trial of about 230 kids examined different medications and chemotherapy, testing their efficacy on an outpatient basis while not using radiation as a primary course of therapy, due to some dire side effects for children noted by Bowman.
Bowman, who then served as medical director of the hematology and oncology department at Cook Children’s, said those trials — from 1986 to 1990 — were part of the domino effect that led to refined treatment with higher survival rates.
Rosinella Fabian, left, sits next to her brother. The photo was taken during cancer treatment that started when she was 4. (Courtesy | Rosinella Fabian)
He noted that further improvements came from ongoing national trials and Cook Children’s close collaboration with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a leader in acute lymphocytic leukemia research.
Recent estimates have five-year rates of survival for the blood cancer at over 90%, according to the National Cancer Institute.
“Even though the outlook has improved tremendously, the research continues to try to find the right balance and which pathway is optimal,” Bowman said.
Fabian has numerous recollections of her nearly three years undergoing treatment despite her being a toddler.
Vivid memories include spinal taps and chemotherapy appointments. She remembers staying at the Ronald McDonald House Fort Worth for weeks on end while going through treatment. “It was almost like a second home to me,” she added.
What Fabian remembers most are the car rides to and from Fort Worth. The drives to Cook Children’s were fun, she noted, but the drives home to Abilene were difficult post-chemotherapy.
“It was a lot, but I’m here today. Going on almost 40 years of remission,” Fabian said.
A full circle moment
Reconnecting with Bowman pushed Fabian to get involved in supporting others with blood cancer. But her daughter’s journey also inspired that push.
Danielle Gonzalez was diagnosed with another form of blood cancer — Non-Hodgkin lymphoma — in 2019. Now in remission, Fabian said her daughter is fully committed to helping others on similar journeys and attends cancer camp regularly.
“She’s developed a niche where she’s like a sisterly type figure,” Fabian said. “If they’re not feeling good, if they hurt themselves, if they don’t feel as comfortable, if they’re shy, she’s developed ways to be able to get those kids to open up.”
Seeing her daughter go through treatment felt like deja vu for Fabian. She noted that five of the seven medications that Danielle took regularly were the same ones Bowman prescribed over 30 years ago.
Another connection between Bowman and Fabian’s daughter was Danielle’s oncologist.
“I brought (Bowman’s) name up to her, and she said he is basically the founding father of the way they treat a lot of patients,” Fabian said.
Find out more about this year’s Beat Leukemia Ball here.
That title is fitting. After retiring from practice in 2021, Bowman continues working on blood cancer awareness throughout the state.
Bowman and his wife now serve as board co-chairs for Leukemia Texas. He was instrumental in bringing the Beat Leukemia Ball to Fort Worth. The annual fundraiser to beat leukemia, the nonprofit’s signature campaign, takes place June 5.
Bowman stays involved with the work to support patients directly navigating the difficulties of cancer treatment.
“I was at it for a long time, and you never get tired of it. But some aspects, you’ve got to relook at how you balance your life,” Bowman said. “But we saw an opportunity.”
The Fort Worth pediatric oncologist’s effect on research and treatment reverberates beyond Leukemia Texas. Through the Lois and W. Paul Bowman, M.D., Leukemia Program Endowment, he supports education for research.
Dr. W. Paul Bowman and Rosinella Fabian reunite in Fort Worth on March 18, 2026. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report/CatchLight Local/Report for America)
Their endowment is set to support the 2026 Leukemia Symposium at Cook Children’s later this year, a three-day event bringing together experts to share and present their work.
But Bowman’s smaller effects are also worth highlighting. Fabian said Danielle is planning on becoming an oncologist.
“He saved my life,” Fabian said. “And in a way, he saved my daughter’s life, too, because of the advancements that he was able to do with the different kinds of chemotherapy and treatments.”
Ismael M. Belkoura is the health reporter for the Fort Worth Report. His position is supported by a grant from Texas Health Resources. Contact him at ismael.belkoura@fortworthreport.org.
At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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