In 10-year-old Valerie’s room hangs a piece of art that says everything about who she is.
- B - Beautiful
- A - Amazing
- L - Loveable
- D - Diva
It’s more than a poem – it’s how Val chooses to see herself after cancer tried to define her differently.
Val has always been creative. She draws, dances, plays the cello and brings stories to life in her imagination. Even through a whirlwind of change – including moving from Nigeria to the U.S. with her mom, Adaora, and then being diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma – she’s held onto that spirit.
Something Serious
At first, her symptoms didn’t seem alarming. Living in the cheese capital of the world, Adaora assumed Val might be dealing with a dairy intolerance. Stomach pain came and went. But when the pain worsened and new symptoms appeared, Adaora – a doctor – knew something wasn’t right.
Val was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare diagnosis for a child her age. She began treatment that combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy – an approach shaped by research designed to be just as effective, but with fewer long-term side effects. Today, treatments like hers have cure rates as high as 95%.
Still, treatment wasn’t easy.
Losing her hair was one of the hardest parts. But instead of letting it define her, Val reframed it. Her “BALD” artwork became a declaration of confidence and strength.
“Going through chemotherapy makes me feel like I can conquer anything,” she said.
And she has. Val kept showing up – to school when she could, to dance when she had the energy, and always as herself. Her community showed up too, surrounding her and her mom with meals, messages and support that made sure they never felt alone.
Today, Val is cancer-free.
She’s back to doing what she loves – dancing, creating and making new friends wherever she goes, which includes joining other childhood cancer survivors for the iconic return of Glamorama to benefit Children’s Cancer Research Fund. As one of five ambassadors, Val is helping bring the production to life through imagination and collaboration.
Tickets are going fast! Don’t miss your chance to be part of a night that celebrates kids like Val and the research helping them thrive.
