Young cancer survivor raises awareness at Mustang Roundup
Isa Solorzano and her family join the Granite Shoals Police Department at Mustang Roundup on Sept. 12. Courtesy photo
Eight-year-old cancer survivor and Granite Shoals resident Isa Solorzano participated in Mustang Roundup at Marble Falls Elementary School on Friday, Sept. 12. The annual event raises awareness about childhood cancer and helps students better understand the challenges it brings.
When Isa returned to school following treatment, her parents worried she might face bullying because of her hair loss. To help her classmates understand her journey, they suggested Mustang Roundup to MFES, and the school embraced the idea.
“We have been part of the Roundup since the first year it was done,” Gina Solorzano, Isa’s mother, told DailyTrib.com. “It means the world to us because it shows we can always count on Marble Falls Elementary School to show support and help us begin spreading more awareness to childhood cancer, which isn’t acknowledged as much as it should be.”
Isa’s family announced she was cancer-free in December 2023 on Facebook. Still, she faces lasting effects from treatment, including hearing loss. She is currently in the process of being fitted for hearing aids.
“Isa has been a trooper since first being diagnosed in 2020. Then, she relapsed to high-risk neuroblastoma and did two years of treatments, including two transplants, radiation, and a lot of chemotherapy,” Gina said.
The Solorzano family said they are especially grateful for community support, particularly from the Granite Shoals Police Department. The department has stood with Isa since her diagnosis and even decorated a police car with childhood cancer decals in her honor in March 2024.
“We appreciate everything they do for her and us,” Gina said.
For Gina, the most important takeaway from Isa’s journey for others is that this can happen to anyone. She said advocacy is critical to ensure there is funding for children’s cancer research, and that it is important to acknowledge heroes everywhere who make that happen.
Looking ahead, the Solorzano family hopes to organize a citywide “Gold Out,” a weeklong effort to collect food and drinks for parents who cannot leave the hospital while caring for their children, as well as toy donations for young patients to entertain themselves during the tough time.