From cancer to college: Make-A-Wish helps first-generation student achieve her dream

When 15-year-old Daraly Arredondo woke up with a swollen, painful lump along the left side of her neck, she assumed it was nothing. She was preparing to start her junior year at Hot Springs High School in Truth or Consequences, juggling the same worries as any teenager: classes, friends and the future.

Daraly, from the small town of Arrey, just outside Hatch, N.M., comes from a close-knit Mexican family. That family would soon become her anchor during a life-changing battle.

It began in July of 2023.

"I was just another regular 15-year-old who looked healthy," said Arredondo. "It started when I woke up really sore and swollen from the left side of my neck."

A visit to her pediatrician led to a referral to the ER in Albuquerque.

Days later, she was at UNM Children's Hospital undergoing tests and scans.

"Not once did they ever say they suspected cancer. It wasn't until I heard a nurse say I was being checked for leukemia that my heart dropped," she said.

After a biopsy and days in the pediatric ICU, Daraly received her diagnosis: Stage 2 high-risk Hodgkin's lymphoma, with cancer in her lymph nodes and six tumors across her chest.

"I started crying as nobody wanted to hear that, but I kept myself together," she said.

The next day, she had surgery to implant a port and catheter for chemotherapy and a bone marrow procedure to check for leukemia.

"It took me eight days to recover from that surgery," she said. It was extremely painful, but it was a new battle I was ready to fight with all the strength I had."

She began her first round of chemotherapy, which lasted eight days straight. After 21 days, she was discharged.

"I was so ready to go home. Friends and family surprised me with gifts and surprise visits," she said.

Through every moment, her mother, Viridiana, stayed beside her bed.

"My mom had to quit her job to take care of me full time," said Arredondo. "She cooked every meal I wanted, gave me my medication, even gave me injections at home."

Her father, Alberto Sr., continued working to support the family as well as take care of Daraly's two brothers, Alberto Jr. and Dominiq. On long hospital stays, he alternated with her mother so she could rest.

"After I started my recovery, we all had more relief. We finally let our guard down a little and just let nature take its course," she said.

The treatment was difficult and mentally draining. Her immune system became too fragile for visitors or outings. She experienced typical hair loss. The first day of her junior year came and went as she transitioned to homeschooling.

But she was never alone. Her friends FaceTimed her constantly and family sent food and comfort. Her grandmother made tamales, Daraly's favorite, almost every week.

When hospital staff told Daraly they had referred her to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, she already knew what she wanted. It wasn't a trip to a theme park, or a celebrity meet-up or even a shopping spree. Daraly asked for something she believed could change her life in a lasting way: a college scholarship to The University of New Mexico (UNM).

"I've always planned on going to college," said Arredondo. "A scholarship would be an investment for my future."

At Make-A-Wish New Mexico, Program and Alumni Coordinator Dara Alter said wishes like Daraly's aren't common, but they're far from unheard of.

"It's not popular, but it's not unusual," said Alter. "I think it's cool that kids want to further their education."

Once a child is medically referred, Alter said the request goes to the national office for approval. From there, the chapter begins a months-long process that starts with a welcome call, moves to a consent form and leads to a wish discovery visit with trained volunteers.

"Every single wish is unique," said Alter. "Our mission is to grant life-changing wishes."

The small Albuquerque-based chapter, the only one in the state, celebrated its 40th year this year. Its "small but mighty" staff of eight relies heavily on volunteers to help grant roughly 110 wishes annually.

"Make-A-Wish would not exist without our volunteers, their community and their passion," said Alter. "Communities come together to make beautiful things happen."

The chapter's reach is significant, but the need is even greater, said Adela Sena, Make-A-Wish New Mexico's community and medical outreach coordinator.

"A recent study found New Mexico has about 163 children each year who may qualify for a wish," said Sena. "We grant around 110 annually. That means there are still many eligible children we haven't reached."

Sena states a major barrier is awareness. "A lot of people are still unfamiliar with who qualifies or how to refer. The referral process takes about five to ten minutes, and it can change the trajectory of a child's life."

To close the gap, the chapter created a Linktree link with qualifying conditions, referral instructions and contact information.

"Our goal is to reach every eligible child in New Mexico," said Sena. "Together, we create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses."

For questions regarding referrals, reach out to Adela Sena at [email protected].

Because wishes can take between three and eight months to complete, Daraly had to wait until after her high school graduation for hers to be granted. When she received the message that her scholarship funds had been officially sent to UNM, she remembers feeling nothing but gratitude.

Make-A-Wish still wanted to mark the moment in a big way. They surprised her with a three-hour, fully covered celebration at Topgolf, complete with decorations in UNM cherry red, gifts, and the staff chanting the Lobo cheer as she stepped into her next chapter as a first-generation college student. Joining the Lobo Pack.

For Daraly, it was more than a party. It was a turning point.

"As a first-generation Mexican college student, I might not have been able to afford living expenses," she said. "This scholarship is less of a burden on me and my family. It means everything."

Now a freshman at UNM, Daraly is pursuing a bachelor's degree in elementary education. A dream she's had since she was a little girl.

"I've always wanted to be a teacher," she said. "I like taking care of kids. Being an elementary teacher just felt like the job I've always wanted."

She plans to return to her hometown after graduation and teach in one of the local schools.

Though her diagnosis didn't shift her career goals, her journey has shaped how she sees the world and the resilience she carries into adulthood.

"I believe that good things always come after bad things happen," she said. "Everything happens for a reason and God has a plan for me."

Even now, in remission, in college and building the life she once thought would never happen, she keeps her thoughts with those still in treatment.

"I want people who are going through a cancer diagnosis to never give up," she said. "Have faith in your treatment and in God."

For Alter and the Make-A-Wish team, that message is exactly why they do their work.

"We hope one day Make-A-Wish gets to close its doors."

More information on how to donate is available on the Make-A-Wish New Mexico website.