Carter Joseph FIgueroa
Carter Joseph Figueroa, a 2.5-year-old born in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a little boy with an incredible spirit and a story that has touched the hearts of many. In October 2023, Carter and his family moved to New Jersey, ready to embrace new beginnings. However, their lives were forever changed when Carter suffered a knee fracture during a family BBQ one summer day. This seemingly minor injury led to a diagnosis that no family could ever prepare for: B-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).
On September 8, 2024, Carter’s family received the news no parent ever wants to hear. His battle with leukemia began, and his treatment journey will last over 2 1/2 years, involving rounds of chemotherapy, spinal taps, bone marrow procedures, and frequent hospital visits. During this time, he was resuscitated twice—moments that brought his family, friends, and community together in deep prayer and unwavering support.
Through these difficult times, Carter’s courage has become a beacon of hope. He is currently receiving care from the compassionate and skilled medical team at Goryeb Children’s Hospital at Morristown Medical Center. Though his time at preschool was cut short, Carter spends most of his time at home with his family, where he brings joy with his infectious laughter, love for good food, and a smile that lights up every room. His spirit remains unbroken, a reminder of the power of resilience in the face of adversity.
Carter’s story is one of hope. As he faces difficult treatments and uncertain moments, his determination serves as a beacon of strength, not just for his family, but for all those who support him. His journey shows us that even in the toughest times, hope, resilience and the power of love can carry us forward.
Ariel Moya
When Ariel was 4 years old she was diagnosed with Leukemia B-ALL with a Phil-like Chromosome. Our world was turned upside down for our entire family as we try to process this horrific news. She became a patient of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia in an instant and went through countless blood transfusions and countless procedures. Her treatments were so intense, and we have spent many weeks in the hospital during her 2 1/2 year treatment. It seemed like an eternity, but she managed to get through it with a smile and a positive attitude and ring the bell in October 2023. In June of 2024 Ariel had suffered a relapse that put her right back in the hospital. This time they tried immunotherapy called CAR-T to fight off the cancer cells in September of 2024. Unfortunately, it did not give the results that we hoped for, she received another round of CAR-T in January 2025 but again ineffective. The next step is a bone marrow transplant that we are currently preparing for in the next few months. Needless to say Ariel has been through a lot in the past 4 years but she has remained the bubbly, witty little girl she has always been.
Averie Viera
At just 8 years old, Averie’s world changed overnight with a diagnosis no child should ever have to face Osteosarcoma “Bone Cancer.” In the blink of an eye, her days of playful fashion choices turned into hospital gowns, and the joy of styling her hair was replaced by the reality of losing it all within a month. Her journey was intense, filled with grueling chemotherapy, a life-changing surgery, and the challenge of adjusting to an expandable endoprosthetic implant in her left leg.
But through it all, Averie never let cancer define her. Even on her hardest days, she found reasons to smile, to spread joy, and to lift up those around her. She became a beacon of hope for other children fighting their own battles, offering them comfort, encouragement, and the kind of strength only a true warrior possesses.
Now 9 years old, Averie is more than a survivor—she’s a fierce advocate for pediatric cancer awareness, a mentor to other children, and a source of unwavering positivity in the cancer community. She is a daughter, a sister, a friend, a swimmer, and a bright light in the lives of so many. But above all, she is a Hero.