It seemed as though nearly the entire community of Colton came out to show support for Arianna Villalobos in her fight to beat cancer. The “AriStrong” kickball tournament and car show held on December 1, 2018 was organized by Ari’s family to help fundraise for the mounting expenses of her care. The fundraiser was open to the public and included fun for the whole family at Elizabeth Davis Park in Colton. The community was welcomed by food, a DJ, live music by On the Latin Side band, a car show and a fun kickball tournament. “We came out here to do this as a family,” said Mayor Richard DeLa Rosa as he kicked off the event and showed the crowd his percussion skills by mastering the congas and timbres as part of the band.
Like a lot of children in Grand Terrace, Arianna Villalobos, or Ari to friends and family, loves playing soccer. There was something about the physicality and joy that hooked Ari since she was three-years-old. For the next 11 years, Ari devoted time to her sport and fiercely dominated the field. However, unlike most children, Ari began to develop headaches and eye pain for several weeks. Nevertheless, she persevered and fought through the pain and excelled academically and on the field. However, the headaches continued and on October 8, 2018, Ari was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14.
Doctors found a brain tumor the size of a tangerine lying in the middle of both hemispheres of the brain. The tumor attached to blood vessels, making it impossible to be surgically removed at that time.
Ari’s friends and family have stood by her side throughout her journey. Ari’s mother and father, Nikki and Chris, now live in the hospital with their daughter. Ari’s parents live by faith and that belief activates the blessing. “You don't have to see it to believe; you believe by faith, and know "it is finished" at the cross,” Nikki and Chris said. “God’s glory will be manifested through Ari's story and she will live.”
On October 19, 2018, a pathology report concluded that the tumor is Glioblastoma Stage IV. Glioblastoma Stage IV is where a large portion of tumor cells are reproducing and dividing at any given time and are infiltrative and invade into nearby regions of the brain, according to the American Brain Tumor Association.
Throughout this frightening process, Ari has remained strong and resilient. From enduring three surgeries in just one week to various treatments and her new life in the hospital, Ari continues to be brave and live by the strength of love and faith.
“Please stand in unity and faith with us as we claim that healing and ask for strength for Ari and her family,” according to her Go Fund Me page.
Friends and family wish that others keep Ari and her family in their hearts and prayers. The Valverde, Cruz and Villalobos families invite others to join them as they “continue to stand on God’s promises and believe by faith that the tumor will be terminated and Ari will live to testify the grace and glory of God... and play soccer!”
If you would like to support Ari throughout her fight, donate on her GoFundMe, “Help Ari terminate the tumor” at: https://www.gofundme.com/help-ari-terminate-the-tumor.
City News Group was proud to be a sponsor and asks that you please keep Ari in your prayers and spread her story to others in your family, community and church.