The entire Laredo, Texas, community is praying for a young cheerleader, Amber, who was diagnosed with an aggressive cancer on January 8, 2026.
A seventh-grader, Amber, who loves being active and spending time with friends, is a part of the cheerleading team and also plays volleyball.
Anyone who knows her would tell you that she is a bright person who always brings a smile to people’s faces.
However, for someone so bright and bubbly, things started to feel a little off a little while back.
Amber began having some unusual pain that didn’t seem normal, and then she came down with a respiratory illness that just kept hanging on, no matter what they tried.
As the days went by, she grew weaker and lost her appetite completely, which worried her parents more than anything.
They could see how much she was struggling, so they decided to rush her to Christus Children’s Hospital in San Antonio for help.
It was on January 8 that everything changed when the doctors finally figured out what was going on after discovering a mass in her body. Amber had been diagnosed with a malignant rhabdoid tumor in her kidney.
This unanticipated news came as a heavy blow to the whole family.
Reportedly, right away, within just hours of getting the diagnosis, the medical team started her on aggressive chemotherapy to fight it as strongly as possible.
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Above all, what stands out most about Amber through all of this is how she is handling everything.
Hospitals can be really frightening places, especially for a kid, and she admits she feels scared. However, when the doctors sat down to explain what the diagnosis meant and what the treatment would involve, Amber stayed calm.
Amber didn’t cry or break down; instead, she listened carefully, asked thoughtful questions, and really tried to understand what was happening inside her body.
That kind of composure and curiosity has left everyone around her feeling humbled and amazed by her inner strength.
Similarly, her family is doing their best to stay strong for her, too. They try hard not to let their own tears show when they are with her because they don’t want to add any extra worry to what she is already carrying.
Meanwhile, her uncle, Armando Rodriguez from Laredo, set up a GoFundMe page to help the family during this difficult time.
Armando commended his niece’s bravery, writing:
Our niece Amber, is incredibly strong, bright, and compassionate beyond her years. She has always amazed us with her courage, her sharp mind, and her beautiful spirit. Even in the face of this diagnosis, she continues to show a strength that inspires everyone around her.
Armando Rodriguez
During this challenging time, we pray for the strength of Amber’s extended family and pray for her speedy recovery.
