"I have become a better human being thanks to St. Jude"

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Many children are filled with curiosity when they see butterflies. 

Some chase them. Others observe them closely.  

But for Victoria, 17, they reflect her existence. 

Butterflies, she said, have accompanied her throughout her life.  

She finds them around her house, in the park, on the way to school or when she goes for a run. She even notices their presence when she is traveling.

“They have followed me since I was little, and as incredible as it sounds, I always find one,” said this young artist from Florida whose passion is painting.  

 She has captured her fascination with butterflies in her art which decorates her home. 

“They represent something very magical. They go through a lot: they start as caterpillars, grow and become beautiful things.”  

This is also how she describes her personal transformation after being diagnosed in 2015 with atypical meningioma, a rare type of pediatric brain tumor. Following two surgeries to remove as much of the tumor as possible, Victoria, then 9 years old, was referred to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in 2016 for further treatment.

“It was very difficult to go through all that, and now I feel in a moment of growth and happiness,” she explained.  

Her feelings are depicted in one of her creations: “The Butterfly – The journey of life.” 

The painting shows two butterflies, one large and one small, divided by a rainbow that represents her transformation.  

“By crossing that rainbow, I am now resilient and more open because when everything happened, I was sad, very closed off and suffering. But now I talk about my experience to tell everyone that I am here,” she said. 

The St. Jude logo — a child with outstretched hands — appears in the lower corner of the painting. It is a common feature in her works.  “I included the logo because St. Jude saved my life,” she said, smiling. 

Her mother, Damary, has been by her side every step of the way and said that St. Jude represented a turning point for their family. She recalled how doctors at St. Jude gave her hope when her daughter was in a very delicate condition. 

Then they offered her a solution: proton beam radiotherapy, a procedure that uses protons as the beam source, allowing doctors to target radiation precisely to the tumor without harming surrounding healthy tissue. Victoria met the criteria to be enrolled in SJPROTON1, a clinical trial that allowed researchers to evaluate tumor control and treatment-related complications for patients undergoing proton beam radiotherapy. 

Victoria was one of the first patients to receive this innovative treatment at St. Jude, which is home to the world’s first proton therapy center dedicated to children. 

The side effects on Victoria were minimal, according to Damary. Victoria was able to continue her education through the academic programs offered at St. Jude.  

“I really liked going to school at the hospital because I felt at home,” Victoria recalled.

Raising funds with her team 

Victoria has finished treatment and is transitioning to the After Completion of Therapy (ACT Clinic) at St. Jude, where she will continue to return to St. Jude annually for medical check-ups. 

Over the past few years, mother and daughter have been very active in supporting St. Jude through charity events in different states.  

“I have become a better human being thanks to St. Jude. And we have accumulated unforgettable memories,” said Victoria. 

Together, they have attended golf tournaments, galas and radio programs where Victoria has shared her story.  

“She really enjoys those events to talk about her experience in front of celebrities and donors,” said Damary. “We know it is a necessary effort to keep the hospital running while fulfilling its mission of saving children’s lives worldwide.” 

This year, Victoria participated in several walks to benefit St. Jude in Florida. She did so with the team of friends and family who support her as part of “Team Victoria for St. Jude.” The group was formed eight years ago, when she was still receiving treatment, and meets annually to raise funds for St. Jude. 

Embracing the future

In 2025, Victoria plans to attend college and has already decided on her next step. 

Victoria, who will soon reach 10 years since her diagnosis, plans to study marketing and continue to take painting classes to perfect her techniques. 

“After graduating, I want to work for St. Jude,” she said.  

In the meantime, she will continue supporting awareness efforts and fundraising for the research hospital. 

“Any way I can support this wonderful organization is a gift from God to me. With my experience, I would love to help other children,” she said.