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  • 2023
  • 01

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Childhood leukemia survivor is determined to be a counselor for future campers

BY Maggie Galehouse

January 13, 2023

Rappelling up a rock-climbing wall was Akilah Lopez’s greatest challenge at MD Anderson’s Camp Family Fun Day in August 2022.

“They had a zigzag route, which was easy,” says the 14-year-old, who was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia almost two years earlier. “But I went up the hard way. I was scared I was going to fall or get stuck.”

She didn’t. Akilah made it to the top, and her reward, once there, was access...

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Childhood leukemia survivor Akilah Lopez sits on the grass with her hands on her chin

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