Stella’s Story

The Sterna/Vanegas family used to live a comfortable life of routine and creating plans for the future. One day, in a tiny hospital room, all of that flipped on its head. In March 2021, Stella was diagnosed with a rare type of brain cancer called myxopapillary ependymoma. Leg pains turned into Stella losing the ability to walk which led to an MRI showing a large tumor in her lower spine that was leaking fluid into her abdomen. She underwent emergency surgery and the surgeon was miraculously able to remove 70-80% of the tumor! A few weeks after surgery, Stella started proton radiation treatment. She received 35 rounds of this treatment where she was sedated daily to receive it. After this, she was able to walk and run again but was left with many medical complications – a paralyzed bladder, mild scoliosis and nerve damage to her legs which causes her pain. The remaining portion of the tumor is inoperable due to its location at the very bottom of her spine but it is currently stable. They pray it will remain that way.

In January 2023, two additional tumors located at the top of her spine were found. Two months later, in March 2023, five new tumors were found in her brain. Stella and her family do their best to remain positive as they continue to fight this spreading cancer.

Most recently, in May 2024, scans and a biopsy of Stella’s lungs and lymph node revealed another cancer, different from the first. Stella has now also been diagnosed with a secondary cancer, EBV+ diffuse large B cell lymphoma. A pet scan showed that the cancer doesn’t appear to be in her bones but it is in her left tonsil. While Stella’s family thought they were coming to the end of treatment they are now buckling in and preparing for a rough summer of treatment for this secondary cancer.

Throughout this entire journey, Stella continues to wear a smile and bring joy to so many others. She and her mom, Cindy, started a ministry called Stella’s Sips of Courage where they make tumblers for other children walking through their own cancer journeys to bring them joy during their journey. Stella is such an inspiration to keep looking up no matter how difficult the circumstances are that you face. The design on her shirt embodies her fun personality and reminds us that we don’t have to face our obstacles alone – we truly are better together!