A Story of Hope & Courage: Jillian’s Journey Through Cancer

Here at Celebrate Every Breath (CEB), our mission has always been to support cancer patients, especially those fighting in silence — the children and families who, like Jillian, are in the middle of battles no one ever prepared them for.

While CEB is primarily focused on helping children with cancer, we recognize that there are many more stories, many more battles that go unheard and unsupported. As much as we wish we could help everyone, our resources are limited. We carefully and prayerfully select individuals we can walk alongside — because every act of help must be offered with intention, heart, and compassion.

Jillian is one of the very first beneficiaries that Celebrate Every Breath was able to support through financial assistance. And while the help we gave may not be significant when compared to the ongoing, high costs of treatment — it made a difference.

Because help isn’t just about funding.
Sometimes, it’s about giving people hope — letting them know they are not alone, and that someone beyond their home, beyond their city, beyond their own story is praying and walking with them.

This is the story of Jillian —
A 13-year-old girl who dreams, fights, and continues to hope.

 

A Mother’s Voice: Jillian’s Story

Below is our guided conversation with Jillian’s mother, whose strength is a story in itself:

 

Can you share your daughter’s name, age, and where you're from?

Ang anak ko po ay si Jillian Mae S. Diamsen, 13 years old, Valenzuela City.                  (My daughter’s name is Jillian Mae S. Diamsen, she is 13 years old from Valenzuela City)

 

When and how did you find out about your daughter’s condition? What has this   journey been like for your family?

Nagsimula po lahat noong February, napansin namin na hirap na si Jillian maglakad, parang may pilay siya. Ang lola niya ang unang nakapansin, kaya dinala siya Orthopedic. Noong April, doon po namin nalaman ‘yung totoo na may osteosarcoma pala siya, bone cancer. At habang lumilipas ang araw, lalo lang lumalaki ‘yung bukol sa tuhod niya at sobrang bilis ng paglaki nito.

Bilang isang ina na nasa abroad, sobrang sakit. Hindi ko man lan g sia maalangan o Mayakap sa panahon na sobrang kailangan niya ako. Pero wala akong choice dahil kailangan kong  magtrabaho dahil kung uuwi ako, paano na ang gagastusin para sa gamutan niya?

Dumating ako sa point na halos araw-araw akong umiiyak. Pakiramdam ko parang binagsakan ako ng mundo. Pero kahit ang bigat-bigat sa pakiramdam, kailangan kong maging matatag para sa kanya at sa mga kapatid n'ya. Buti na lang andiyan ang lola niya, na inalagaan siya habang wala ako at ang kaniyang kapatid na umaalalay sakaniya.

(It all began in February, when we noticed Jillian was struggling to walk, almost as if she was limping. Her grandmother was the first to notice, so we brought her to the Philippine Orthopedic Hospital. In April, we learned the painful truth — that it was osteosarcoma, bone cancer. As days went by, the tumor in her knee grew larger and rapidly. As a mother working abroad, it was incredibly painful. I couldn’t be there to care for her or even hold her when she needed me most. But I had no choice — if I stopped working, how would we pay for her treatments? There were  days when I cried every day. It felt like the world was crashing down on me. But no matter how heavy it felt, I knew I had to stay strong for her and her siblings. Thankfully, her grandmother cared for her while I was away, and her sister was by her side always.)

 

How has the condition affected her life? Has she continued schooling?

Napakalaki po ng naging epekto sa buhay ni Jillian. Hindi lang siya huminto sa pag-aaral,  nawalan pa siya ng isang paa. Dati po siyang masayahin at palangiti, ngayon, halos ayaw na niyang lumabas ng kwarto. Hindi na siya makalakad, sobrang naapektuhan pa ang self-esteem niya. Bilang nanay, ang sakit makita na ‘yung anak mong dating puno ng pangarap—ngayon ang hiling na lang ay “Sana gumaling na ako, Ma.”

(The impact on Jillian’s life has been immense. Not only did she stop schooling, she also lost one of her legs. She used to be happy and always smiling, but now she barely wants to leave her room. She can no longer walk, and her self-esteem has been deeply affected. As a mother, it breaks my heart to see my daughter, who once had so many dreams, now just praying, “I hope I get better, Ma.”)

 

What has been the most difficult part of this journey—for her as a young girl, and for you as a parent?

Para kay Jillian, siguro ‘yung pagkawala ng kanyang paa at ang mga araw na  nararamdaman niyang iba na siya, na hindi na s'ya katulad ng dati.

Para sa akin, ‘yung pakiramdam na gusto mong iligtas ang anak mo sa sakit pero wala kang magawa. ‘Yung parang unti-unti siyang nawawala sa mga bagay na dating gusto n'ya at pilit kang nagiging matapang kahit pakiramdam mo ay sobrang bigat na.

(For Jillian, probably the hardest part was losing her leg and feeling like she is no longer the same as before. For me as a mother, it's the helplessness—wanting so desperately to take the pain away but not being able to. It feels like a part of her is being taken away slowly, and all you can do is stay strong even when you feel so heavy inside.)

 

How do you find strength every day? Are there moments or things that help her (or you) stay hopeful during treatment?

Kung meron man akong sandigan, ito ay ang aking mga anak lalo na si Jillian. Sa kabila ng lahat, may mga araw pa rin na pinipilit niyang ngumiti at sabihin sakin “Kaya ko ‘to, Ma.” “Okay lang ako, Ma.”

Doon ako humuhugot ng lakas — na kahit nahihirapan siya ay pinapakita niya pa rin sa akin na kaya niya at lalaban siya para sa amin. At syempre, sa Diyos. Hindi ako bumibitaw sa pananalangin kasi alam ko siya lang ang may tunay na kontrol at nakakaalam ng lahat. May mga  gabing umiiyak na lang ako at nagdadasal, nagbabakasakali at humihingi ng himala.

(If there is anything or anyone that I draw strength from, it’s my children — especially Jillian. Despite everything, there are moments when she still tries to smile and tells me, “I can do this, Ma,” “I’m okay, Ma.” That’s where I get my strength—from seeing her fight even through her pain. And of course, from God. I keep praying because I know only He has full control and knows what’s best. There are nights when I just cry and pray, hoping for a miracle.)

 

You received help from Celebrate Every Breath before the project was made public. What did that mean to you?

Sobrang laki po ng pasasalamat namin. Hindi ko inaasahan na may taong tutulong kahit hindi kami humingi. Sa gitna ng pagod, takot, at pangamba, may kumatok na tulong. Tahimik lang sila, pero ramdam ko ang kanilang pagmamalasakit sa amin.

(We are incredibly thankful. I never expected anyone to help, especially without us asking. In the midst of fear and exhaustion, help came knocking. They were silent, but I felt their genuine care for us)

 

Now that you know about Celebrate Every Breath, what does it mean to you? How do you feel knowing people care, even quietly?

Para sa amin, hindi lang po ito basta project — isa itong pag-asa. Ramdam namin na may mga  taong nagmamahal kahit hindi kami kilala. ‘Yung simpleng pag-abot nila ng tulong, parang yakap na rin sa amin.

(For us, this isn’t just a project — it’s hope. We feel the love from people we don’t even know. Their simple act of help feels like a warm embrace.)

 

What kind of support is most helpful for your daughter or family right now?

Sa ngayon po, ang pinaka-kailangan talaga namin ay tulong sa medical expenses — sa chemo,  gamot, at maintenance ni Jillian. In short po ay kailangan namin ng tulong financially. Pero bukod doon, malaking bagay din po ‘yung panalangin at suporta sa mga taong may problema katulad namin.

(Right now, the most important need is financial support for Jillian’s medical expenses  —   chemotherapy, medicines, and maintenance. But aside from that, prayers and encouragement from others also mean a lot.)

 

Is there a message you’d like to share with other parents going through similar battles? Or to the people who may read your story?

Sa mga magulang na katulad kong dumadaan sa ganitong laban, hindi tayo nag-iisa. Normal lang  mapagod, umiyak, manghina pero huwag tayong susuko. Hangga’t may hininga, may pag-asa. Tayo man po ay may malaking hamon na kinakaharap sa ngayon ngunit ‘wag po nating kakalimutang manalangin at lumapit sa Panginoon. Maging matatag po tayo dahil hindi naman palagi ay nasa ganitong sitwasyon tayo. ‘Wag po tayo mawalan ng pag-asa, baka bukas o makalawa — malay natin mas magaan na, mas okay na.

At sa lahat po ng makakabasa nito, salamat. Sa oras niyo, sa malasakit, sa pakikiisa. Hindi niyo alam kung gaano kalaking tulong ‘yung simpleng pakikinig at pagdamay sa amin.     

(To the parents who are fighting battles like ours — you are not alone. It’s okay to feel tired, to cry, to feel weak — but don’t give up. As long as there is breath, there is hope. Even when the challenge is big, don’t forget to pray and turn to God. Be strong — we won’t be in this situation forever. Maybe tomorrow, or the next day, things will get better. And to everyone who reads this—thank you. Thank you for your time, for your concern, for journeying with us even in silence. You have no idea how much your listening and support mean to us.

 

Do you give permission for Celebrate Every Breath to share your story publicly?

Opo, pumapayag po kami na i-share ang kwento ni Jillian sa social media at website        ng Celebrate Every Breath. Sana po, sa simpleng paraan na ‘to, may maabot pa po ang kwento niya  para sa tulong at para sa inspirasyon.

(Yes, we give permission for Jillian’s story to be shared on Celebrate Every Breath’s social media and website. We hope that through this, her story will reach more people—for support and for inspiration.)

 

How You Can Directly Reach Out and Help Jillian:

GCash: Christelle Grace Chua (Jillians Sister)

0993 447 3396 

 

Supporting Celebrate Every Breath

If you feel moved by Jillian's story and want to help others like her through CEB:

✅ You may send financial support thru us by reaching out to our social media accounts in IG or FB. You may DM - Christine Li on Instagram @wandermom.ph
✅ Or purchase from our merchandise where every item brings comfort, love, and life to someone battling cancer

Explore our merch here:  (SHOP HERE)

Behind every quiet battle is a story worth hearing.
A heart still hoping.
A family still praying.
A child still fighting.

May we continue to celebrate every breath—and become the reason someone else can, too. 💛