Better chances for childhood cancer in Brazil

The journey of Pedro Henrique, 13, and his mother, Ana Lucia, begins in the state of Maranhão, where they lived before coming to São Paulo in search of more specialized care.

It was at school, after an injury sustained during a game, that the first sign appeared. The bruise on his eye wouldn’t go away, the pain intensified, and over time, Pedro began to have difficulty walking. For almost two months, the two faced a long series of appointments, tests, and attempts to find answers. But then, following a difficult night at home, Ana rushed to the emergency room. There, everything changed.

The diagnosis arrived late that day. And with it, a shock that paralyzed Ana’s world. Alone in São Paulo, without a support network, she had to give up work to dedicate herself exclusively to her son. “It was just the two of us. He depends on me for everything,” she says.

When he’s not studying or drawing, he enjoys playing games, drinking coffee in the cafeteria, and simply wandering the halls. “Sometimes there’s no appointment, but he wants to come. He feels good here. This place has become our home,” says Ana. Between one drawing line and the next, Pedro talks about his goals for the coming years: he dreams of becoming a lawyer, a profession he already envisions with enthusiasm and purpose.

“We feel greatly welcomed here. We find everything we need. That makes all the difference,” says Ana, emotionally. For her, GRAACC is much more than a healthcare institution: “It’s life, hope, and acceptance.” She adds: “I’m incredibly grateful. I feel safe, respected, and supported. Every professional we meet is so affectionate in the way they care for us that GRAACC has become a part of our lives. I carry in my heart everything they’ve done and continue to do for us.”

And with this warm welcoming, and great courage, Pedro moves forward, day after day, with the strength of someone who not only draws on paper, but also a tomorrow full of possibilities.