The Molina Family Family Story

In July 2021, Maribell Gonzales and her son Emmy Molina traveled from Texas to Fargo to visit Maribell’s daughter Gabriella and new grandchild. They never imagined that short visit would turn into an over 3-year cancer journey.

Just 2 days prior to their flight back to Texas, 16-year-old Emmy began to complain about his bones hurting and swelling in his feet. Emmy was taken to Essentia Health for evaluation, with hopes that medication might make the journey home more comfortable. While there for observation, Emmy spiked a fever of 104.5O, and more tests were run. He was diagnosed with leukemia on July 9, 2021. At that moment Maribell said, “It hit me.” She felt her world had stopped.

Emmy was quickly transferred to Sanford’s Roger Maris Cancer Center where he met with his “superhero team.” Because treatment for leukemia requires the child to stay at the same facility, the family was given the option to fly back to Texas or