Transforming Pain into Strength: My Cancer Story
Read this blog in Spanish
Yadiel, 17, is a student and athlete from Puerto Rico who shares his cancer experience and how it has shaped his path forward.
My name is Yadiel. I am 17 years old and live in Jayuya, Puerto Rico. I am a student in the Vocational Electronics Program at Josefina León Zayas Specialized School of Mathematics and Sports.
I am part of the Bright Stars Program, an initiative of the Kinesis Foundation. This program prepares talented students with financial need for admission to universities in the United States and Puerto Rico.
I also take advanced math courses and compete in weightlifting.
When everything changed
In March of 2023, while I was in ninth grade, my life changed completely. What began as pain and swelling in my left knee became a diagnosis of osteosarcoma in my left femur.
From that moment on, my routine as a student and athlete stopped.
My days were no longer filled with classes and training. Instead, they were filled with treatments, medicines, and a fight for my life.
With my parents, I traveled from Puerto Rico to Memphis, Tennessee, to receive treatment at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There, I faced some of the most difficult moments of my life.
In August of 2023, I had surgery to remove the tumor. Because the cancer was aggressive, doctors had to amputate my left leg. Later, I also needed surgeries on both lungs to remove nodules related to osteosarcoma.
With his St. Jude doctor and family beside him, Yadiel navigated difficult moments that shaped the strength and purpose that guide him today.
During months of chemotherapy, surgeries, and medical visits, my focus changed. I no longer worried about exams and homework. My main goal was to recover and return home safe and healthy.
Learning what success really means
I have always wanted to do well in school, fulfill my responsibilities, and give my best. After all these changes, I learned to organize my time and find a balance among school, treatment, and sports.
I also understood that success is not only about getting good grades or winning medals. It is about caring for my mind, body, and emotions.
Throughout my academic journey, I have maintained a 4.0 GPA and have continued to excel in sports. To me, this reflects my discipline, perseverance, and commitment.
Yadiel at the 2025 Youth Parapan American Games in Chile, with 2 bronze medals he won.
Moving forward with strength
In March of 2024, I returned to Puerto Rico with a new outlook on life. I also had an electronic prosthesis and a firm desire to start again. I went back to school, continued working toward my goals, and returned to sports with even more determination.
Since then, I have competed in 5 regular weightlifting competitions in Puerto Rico and have won gold medals in all of them. I also found a passion for shot put and javelin. I earned medals at the national level, including gold in shot put and silver in javelin at the Puerto Rico Games.
Every competition brings a mix of nerves and confidence. I feel nervous because the challenge is real. I feel confident because I know what I have overcome to get there.
One of the most meaningful moments of my athletic life was when I began parapowerlifting. I now compete as a high-performance athlete. At an International Cup in Chile, I won a gold medal. Later, I had the honor of representing Puerto Rico as a flag bearer at the Youth Parapan American Games in Santiago, Chile, where I won 2 bronze medals.
Standing on the podium and seeing the Puerto Rico flag fills me with emotion, pride, and gratitude. Every medal reminds me of how I learned to transform pain into strength, relying on my faith and trust in God.
Turning my experience into purpose
My experience has taught me to value every opportunity. Today, I do not compete only to win. I also compete to inspire others.
I give talks to children about resilience, share my story, and support other young amputees as they adjust to their new reality. I want them to see that a prosthesis is not a limitation. It is a tool for continuing to achieve goals.
Academically, I am applying to Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico, where I plan to study biomedical engineering. My goal is to earn a master’s degree in orthotics and prosthetics, with a focus on kinesiology. In the future, I hope to create a space in Puerto Rico dedicated to designing specialized prosthetics for athletes.
My life changed in an instant. Those changes were painful, but they also brought opportunities for growth. Today, I feel proud of every competition, every medal, every scar, and every obstacle I have overcome.
No matter what we face, what matters most is the attitude we choose. Our mindset, faith, and determination help keep us moving forward.
