Arturo, United States

A Story of Hope and Resilience – World Cancer Day
By Dr. Arturo Loaiza-Bonilla

There are moments in a physician’s life that leave an indelible mark—reminders of why we chose this path. One such moment came early in my career when I met Maria, a young mother diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. She came to me not just seeking treatment but searching for time—time to see her son start kindergarten, time to hold onto the life she had built.

Despite the grim prognosis, we fought together. We explored clinical trials, leveraged precision oncology, and personalized her care. But beyond medicine, what Maria needed most was hope. I saw firsthand how science and compassion must go hand in hand—how a conversation, a hand held during a difficult moment, and unwavering support can be as powerful as any therapy.

Maria taught me that oncology is not just about treating disease but about treating people. She reinforced my belief that no patient should be left behind due to lack of access, awareness, or opportunity. This experience shaped my mission—using AI and technology to break barriers, to democratize clinical trials, and to ensure that every patient, regardless of where they live, has a fighting chance.

Maria did get to see her son off to school. And though she is no longer with us, her story lives on in every patient we help. On World Cancer Day, we honor patients like Maria—their courage, their resilience, and their impact on the future of cancer care.

Because behind every statistic is a life. Behind every treatment is a story. And behind every story is a reason to never stop fighting.