Seven-year-old Jade arrived in sparkly shoes. Fourteen-year-old Diago talked about getting back to the music room.

Behind their smiles are two young fighters whose lives changed almost overnight after each was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer. On Wednesday, their stories helped put a face to a cause as United Independent School District and Smiles from Heaven came together to recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and remind the community of the families behind every diagnosis.

Jade, a second grader at San Isidro Elementary School loves the color purple, singing and dancing. She is currently away from the classroom as she focuses on her health. Her journey began after her mother, Patricia Molano, noticed a bump on her arm shortly after winter break began in December 2025. An X-ray during a visit to an urgent care quickly led the family to San Antonio for additional testing.

“Our lives just changed after that moment. You go into this journey that you don’t want to be in,” Molano recalled. “I kept telling the doctors, ‘You made a mistake. That’s not correct, it’s just a muscle or something.’ You never really expect this.”

Jade was ultimately diagnosed with mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. She underwent extensive surgery that included bone and skin grafts, with part of her fibula used to reconstruct her forearm so she could retain movement and keep her arm.

Through an unimaginable chapter in their lives, Molano says Smiles from Heaven became a lifeline during their darkest time. “Through this journey, they have been family,” Molano said. “We don’t have any family in Laredo, so for Jade to have somewhere to go and people to greet her, welcome her, cheer her on, it’s nice and it’s rewarding for a mom to see that.”

For Jade, the center is a place where she can simply be a kid. She happily described the ball pit, the lights in the Zen room and all the “fun stuff” she enjoys during her visits.

Jade, and her  mom Patricia Molano.

Standing nearby at the press conference was another young fighter who knows that journey all too well.

Before his diagnosis, Diago Alvear was the kind of student who seemed to be everywhere. The former Washington Middle School student participated in band, football, cross-country, UIL and STEM. Now a United High School Longhorn, the 14-year-old is currently away from campus as he focuses on his recovery after being diagnosed in December 2025 with chondroblastic osteosarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of bone cancer.

Treatment temporarily pulled Diago away from many of the activities he loves, but it hasn't taken away his determination to return to them.

“I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do as much stuff as I used to, but I’m definitely going to try to do as much as I can,” Diago said.

Now that he has completed treatment, he hopes to spend more time at the Smiles from Heaven center, especially in the music room.

“I really like the music room because I was in band, and I’m kinda good with music and playing the drums,” he said with a big smile.

Diago said Smiles from Heaven has also helped his mom with expenses such as gas and food throughout his cancer journey, support that has made a meaningful difference for his family.

Diago, his mom Cindy Alvear and JoyJoy the Smiles from Heaven mascot

Jade and Diago are among the reasons United ISD continues its partnership with Smiles from Heaven, the local nonprofit supporting children and families impacted not only by cancer, but by blood disorders as well.

This year marks the fifth consecutive year of the partnership and the fourth year UISD campuses will participate districtwide in the organization's Pinup Campaign, which raises awareness and funds to help support its mission. Smiles from Heaven Founder and Executive Director Ray Sanchez said the partnership is especially meaningful because many of the children the organization serves are students in our local schools.

“The kids are being seen, they’re being heard, our families are being supported, and it is just an amazing thing,” Sanchez said. “I am very thankful for the continuous partnership over these past five years.”

As more families turn to Smiles from Heaven, Sanchez said the organization has outgrown its current center and is looking toward the future, with plans to break ground on an expanded facility in 2027. The vision includes recreational spaces for immunocompromised children, a larger music and arts area, therapy and sensory rooms, and more space for families to connect.

Associate Superintendent for District Administration and Student Services Rebecca Coss-Morales has helped champion UISD's involvement with the organization and says the district wants that support to continue growing.

“I knew that we could do more, and I knew that we could do better as a community,” Morales said. “We just want to continue growing stronger and making sure that we are a strong pillar in the community for our families and children that are battling this horrible disease.”

This year, UISD is stepping outside the box with another way for the community to get involved by  hosting its first-ever Zumba Class benefiting Smiles from Heaven.

The community is invited to “Dance for a Cure” on Saturday, September 19, at 10 a.m. at United Middle School. Early registration is $15, with registration at the door available for $20.

“We are excited, and we want to invite everyone to dance for a cure,” Morales shared.

UISD Superintendent Dr. Gerardo Cruz says this year the district aims to surpass last year’s fundraising goal. “I want to thank the Sanchez family. I know it’s not easy because you are always remembering your battle, but your battle is our struggle as well,” Dr. Cruz added. “We are in it together.”

And yes, the superintendent plans on hitting the dance floor himself!

“For the record, I’ll be at Zumba strutting my stuff,” Dr. Cruz joked.

UISD will also recognize Childhood Cancer Awareness Week from September 14-18. Campuses will “Team Up Against Cancer” by wearing sports jerseys on Monday and close out the week with Go Gold Day on Friday.

Board Secretary Michelle Molina also joined district administrators, students, families, supporters and members of the Smiles from Heaven team for the announcement.

For families like Jade's and Diago's, every pinup purchased, every gold shirt worn and every person who shows up to dance represents something much bigger as we stand UNITED  beside them through a fight no child or family should have to face alone.

And perhaps no one said it better than Diago“Keep fighting. Keep doing what you love.”