Laredo Teens Design Their Own Cancer Support Space

Teens battling cancer in Laredo, Texas now have a safe space they designed themselves to talk about everything from chemo side effects to crushes.

Smiles from Heaven, a local cancer support organization, just opened a dedicated teen room after five years of working primarily with younger children. The 10 teens in the program created every detail of the space, right down to choosing Rango, their bearded dragon mascot.

Cancer survivor Kiana Rendon leads the teen group and knows firsthand how hard it is to navigate cancer treatment while dealing with typical teenage concerns. She says the room gives teens a place to open up without worrying about adult judgment.

"It is very difficult to express ourselves, especially to our parents or other adults," Rendon explains. "This space gives all the teen cancer survivors or fighters a chance to talk about anything."

Executive Director Ray Sanchez has already seen the power of bringing teens together, even though the room opened less than a month ago. He watched teenage girls shift from worrying about hair loss and what boys might think to supporting each other through shared experiences.

The organization welcomes both cancer patients and their siblings, recognizing that the disease impacts entire families. Program Director Betsy Sanchez says the team learned an important lesson this year about teen voices.

"We learned a lot about not giving them a voice because they already have it," she says. "It's about using that voice and truly expressing what they're going through and what they're feeling and what they're needing."

The program extends beyond the four walls of their new room. The group plans regular outings like movies and bowling, activities that celebrate being a teen alongside being a survivor.

Sunny's Take

What makes this story special isn't just that adults created a space for teens. It's that the teens themselves shaped every part of it, from the design to the pet dragon to the topics they discuss. These young people are proving that the best support comes from others who truly understand, and sometimes the most healing conversations happen between friends who've walked the same difficult path.

The organization is now hiring a counseling assistant to help guide discussions through sensitive topics while keeping the peer support foundation strong.