{"id":7902,"date":"2026-04-16T09:33:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-16T13:33:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/?p=7902"},"modified":"2026-04-16T15:34:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-16T19:34:00","slug":"surviving-childhood-cancer-fuels-nursing-dream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/spring2026\/surviving-childhood-cancer-fuels-nursing-dream\/","title":{"rendered":"Surviving Childhood Cancer Fuels Nursing Dream"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Menu Bar&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_color=&#8221;#F7F7F5&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; sticky_position=&#8221;top&#8221; motion_trigger_start=&#8221;top&#8221; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;on&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; background__sticky_enabled=&#8221;on|sticky&#8221; background_color__sticky=&#8221;#F3F3F1&#8243; 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global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1><span style=\"color: #862633;\">Surviving<\/span> Childhood Cancer Fuels <span class=\"outline\">Nursing Dream<span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#313436&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;15px&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;display: inline-block;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p><em>By Lauren Ferguson |\u00a0 Spring 2026<\/em><\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][owl_social_share_button twitter=&#8221;off&#8221; pinterest=&#8221;off&#8221; email=&#8221;on&#8221; button_shape=&#8221;circle&#8221; show_label=&#8221;off&#8221; hover_animation=&#8221;rotate&#8221; alignment=&#8221;right&#8221; use_original_colors=&#8221;off&#8221; custom_color=&#8221;#F3F3F1&#8243; custom_hover_color=&#8221;#D7D2CB&#8221; custom_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; custom_text_hover_color=&#8221;#711421&#8243; spacing=&#8221;6px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;||-10px|15px|false|false&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;||0px||false|false&#8221; link_option_url_new_window=&#8221;on&#8221; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;display: inline-block;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/owl_social_share_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_css_main_element=&#8221;align-items: flex-end;&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/12\/Vanessa-Garcia-Nursing.png&#8221; alt=&#8221;Ramapo College nursing student, Vanessa Garcia&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Vanessa Garcia Nursing&#8221; show_bottom_space=&#8221;off&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; 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header_4_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_5_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>Vanessa Garcia \u201928 never lost her smile.<\/p>\n<p>Not when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 10 years old. Not when she spent weeks and months at a time on the pediatric oncology floor, out of her school and away from her friends.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI never once felt sad. I always used to say, \u2018I feel so uncomfortable with the chemo,\u2019 because it literally felt like a house breaking inside of you, but I was never down. I was always smiling,\u201d Garcia said of the three-and-a-half years she spent in and out of St. Joseph\u2019s Children\u2019s Hospital in Paterson, NJ.<\/p>\n<p>There were many people who kept her spirits up. Her mother spent the days and nights with her. Her father visited after work. The child life specialists played with her and gave her toys and activities. Staff of the nonprofit the Valerie Fund supported her and her family both financially and mentally \u2013 even sending her to Camp Happy Times, a summer camp where she connected with other pediatric cancer patients.<\/p>\n<p>And the nurses \u2013 many of whom were childhood cancer survivors themselves \u2013 made her feel comfortable, like she was not alone. Their kindness and example ultimately inspired her future.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#D7D2CB&#8221; divider_position=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||10px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;62px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_4_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_5_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_5_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_6_font_size=&#8221;22px&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;48px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_3_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_3_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_3_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_4_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_4_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_4_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_5_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Inspired to Help<\/h3>\n<p>\u201cThe experience definitely impacted me and changed me a lot,\u201d Garcia said. \u201cI wouldn\u2019t be the same person if I hadn\u2019t gone through that. I know that it shaped me to be stronger.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Garcia went into remission in 2016, and in 2019 finished the intense treatments she had to undergo to ensure the cancer did not return. Five years later, backed by a scholarship for childhood cancer survivors from the Valerie Fund and support from the New Jersey Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF), she enrolled in the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/nursing\/\">Bachelor of Science in Nursing program<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>at Ramapo College of New Jersey.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;62px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_4_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_5_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_5_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_6_font_size=&#8221;22px&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;48px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_3_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_3_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_3_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_4_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_4_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_4_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_5_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI was always a child running around and helping everyone. So I always said I would want to come back one day and be a nurse to kids with cancer, and be like, \u2018it\u2019s okay. I know what you are going through.\u2019\u201d Garcia said. \u201cI feel like that\u2019s what keeps me going because I\u2019m going to be able to help them just like they helped me.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Garcia said all of the nurses that treated her were amazing, but one in particular, named Danny Garcia, stood out. To transfer chemo and medicine into her body, she had a port inserted deep under her skin. He taught her how to stand properly so hospital staff could find the port and inject the medications in a way that would not hurt her, she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe stood out to me because he was the one that always helped me and showed me how to do things properly so I wouldn\u2019t get hurt,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#D7D2CB&#8221; divider_position=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;62px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_4_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_5_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_5_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_6_font_size=&#8221;22px&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;48px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_3_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_3_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_3_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_4_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_4_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_4_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_5_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Choosing Ramapo Nursing<\/h3>\n<p>Garcia said she first looked at Ramapo because she wanted to attend a small college close to her Paterson, NJ home. When she visited Ramapo\u2019s welcoming, picturesque campus in nearby Mahwah, NJ, she thought, \u201cI can actually see myself going here.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then she researched Ramapo\u2019s nursing school, and decided, \u201cThat\u2019s it. This is where I am going.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;1_4,3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||5px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2026\/01\/Vanessa-Garcia-Tri-Alpha-Honor-Society.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Christine Millien,<br \/>\nEOF Budget &#038; Program Coordinator, with Vanessa during the Tri Alpha Honor Society Awards&#8221; title_text=&#8221;element-red-checker-circle-Asset 16@4x&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_image=&#8221;https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2025\/02\/element-red-checker-circle-Asset-16@4x.png&#8221; background_size=&#8221;custom&#8221; background_image_width=&#8221;60px&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; background_image_width_tablet=&#8221;170px&#8221; background_image_width_phone=&#8221;100px&#8221; border_radii=&#8221;on|400px|400px|400px|400px&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text ul_item_indent=&#8221;50px&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Roboto Slab||||||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#545658&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;14px&#8221; text_line_height=&#8221;1.4em&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<div class=\"fsName\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Christine Millien, EOF Budget &amp; Program Coordinator, with Garcia during the 2025 Tri Alpha Honor Society Induction.<\/div>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;3_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;62px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_4_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_5_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_5_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_6_font_size=&#8221;22px&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;48px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_3_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_3_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_3_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_4_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_4_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_4_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_5_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/news\/slide\/ramapo-named-top-nursing-school-in-new-jersey\/\">A top nursing school in New Jersey<\/a>, Ramapo consistently demonstrates \u201csuperior nursing education and quality,\u201d and \u201cstands out with its exceptional NCLEX pass rates,\u201d according to<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/registerednursing.org\/\">Registerednursing.org<\/a>. An impressive 223 students who graduated from Ramapo and sat for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) exam in<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/news\/press-releases\/rx-for-success-nursing-students-achieve-100-pass-rate-on-nclex-prescribing-a-continued-standard-of-excellence\/\">2023<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>and<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/news\/slide\/vital-signs-strong-100-nclex-pass-rate-for-ramapo-college-nursing-grads\/\">2024<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>yielded a 100% pass rate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI love my decision, because I love being here,\u201d Garcia said.<\/p>\n<p>She credits\u00a0Ramapo\u2019s EOF\u00a0staff with helping to keep her smile bright as she transitioned into college life. The initiative features a five-week summer program for incoming freshmen, one-on-one advisement, mentorship, academic support, tutoring and financial assistance. \u201cEveryone in that office is just amazing. They literally know how to help me anytime I go in,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;10px||10px||true|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_divider color=&#8221;#D7D2CB&#8221; divider_position=&#8221;center&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=&#8221;2_3,1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; max_width=&#8221;824px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;2_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; header_font_size=&#8221;62px&#8221; header_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_2_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_2_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_2_font_size=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_2_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_3_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_3_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_3_font_size=&#8221;40px&#8221; header_3_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_4_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; header_4_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_4_font_size=&#8221;30px&#8221; header_4_line_height=&#8221;1.2em&#8221; header_5_font=&#8221;|800|||||||&#8221; header_5_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; header_5_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; header_5_line_height=&#8221;1.1em&#8221; header_6_font=&#8221;|700|||||||&#8221; header_6_text_color=&#8221;#25282A&#8221; header_6_font_size=&#8221;22px&#8221; header_font_size_tablet=&#8221;50px&#8221; header_font_size_phone=&#8221;48px&#8221; header_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_2_font_size_tablet=&#8221;36px&#8221; header_2_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_2_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_3_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_3_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_3_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_4_font_size_tablet=&#8221;28px&#8221; header_4_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_4_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; header_5_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_phone=&#8221;&#8221; header_5_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3>Pushing Ahead with a Smile<\/h3>\n<p>Garcia has big dreams for her future. She plans to work on the same pediatric oncology floor in the same hospital where she underwent her treatment.<\/p>\n<p>She also wants to get her<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/msn\/\">Master of Science in Nursing<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>from Ramapo, followed by a doctorate. Garcia knows it won\u2019t be easy, but after enduring years of cancer treatment as a child, she knows she can do anything.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI knew that I got through that with a smile and bravery, so now I know I can get through anything with a smile,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_3&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/343\/2026\/01\/Vanessa-Garcia-Nursing-Kevin-19.jpg&#8221; alt=&#8221;Vanessa Garcia smiling inside Ramapo\u2019s state-of- the-art simulation lab.&#8221; title_text=&#8221;Vanessa-Garcia-Nursing&#8212;Kevin-19&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;Back To Homepage Spring 2025&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.18.0&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; use_background_color_gradient=&#8221;on&#8221; background_color_gradient_direction=&#8221;45deg&#8221; background_color_gradient_stops=&#8221;#f3f3f1 0%|#fcfffd 100%&#8221; background_color_gradient_start=&#8221;#f3f3f1&#8243; background_color_gradient_end=&#8221;#fcfffd&#8221; background_enable_image=&#8221;off&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;0px||0px||false|false&#8221; top_divider_color=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221; top_divider_height=&#8221;86px&#8221; top_divider_arrangement=&#8221;above_content&#8221; top_divider_style_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; top_divider_style_phone=&#8221;&#8221; top_divider_style_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; top_divider_height_tablet=&#8221;52px&#8221; top_divider_height_phone=&#8221;25px&#8221; top_divider_height_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; border_color_all=&#8221;#2f2f2f&#8221; border_width_top=&#8221;1px&#8221; border_color_top=&#8221;#f3f3f1&#8243; saved_tabs=&#8221;all&#8221; collapsed=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; background_enable_color=&#8221;off&#8221; background_enable_image=&#8221;off&#8221; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;center_left&#8221; z_index=&#8221;349&#8243; max_width=&#8221;1024px&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;15px||20px||false|false&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; text_font=&#8221;Oswald|||on|||||&#8221; text_text_color=&#8221;#862633&#8243; text_font_size=&#8221;24px&#8221; link_text_color=&#8221;#25282a&#8221; transform_scale_linked__hover=&#8221;off&#8221; transform_translate_linked__hover=&#8221;off&#8221; custom_margin=&#8221;6px|||||&#8221; text_font_size_tablet=&#8221;&#8221; text_font_size_phone=&#8221;16px&#8221; text_font_size_last_edited=&#8221;on|phone&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; transform_styles__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|hover&#8221; transform_scale__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|hover&#8221; transform_translate__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; transform_rotate__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; transform_skew__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; transform_origin__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|desktop&#8221; transform_translate__hover=&#8221;-5px|0px&#8221; custom_css_after__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|hover&#8221; link_text_color__hover_enabled=&#8221;on|hover&#8221; link_text_color__hover=&#8221;#c41e1e&#8221;]<strong><span style=\"color: #892633;\">\u2190<\/span><\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/spring-2026\">Back to the Spring 2026 Magazine Homepage<\/a>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>CollegeSurviving Childhood Cancer Fuels Nursing DreamBy Lauren Ferguson |\u00a0 Spring 2026<div class=\"et_pb_module owl_social_share_button owl_social_share_button_0\">\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"et_pb_module_inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"owl-social-share-buttons style-filled shape-circle layout-horizontal hover-rotate custom-colors et_pb_text_align_right\" style=\"width: 100%;\" data-custom-hover-bg=\"#F3F3F1\" data-custom-hover-text=\"#862633\"><div class=\"owl-social-share-buttons-wrap\" style=\"display: flex; 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Not when she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at 10 years old. Not when she spent [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":457,"featured_media":8427,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7902","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-spring2026"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v21.5 (Yoast SEO v27.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Surviving Childhood Cancer Fuels Nursing Dream - Ramapo College Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.ramapo.edu\/magazine\/spring2026\/surviving-childhood-cancer-fuels-nursing-dream\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Surviving Childhood Cancer Fuels Nursing Dream\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"CollegeSurviving Childhood Cancer Fuels Nursing DreamBy Lauren Ferguson |\u00a0 Spring 2026Vanessa Garcia \u201928 never lost her smile. 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