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At just 23 years old, South Texas College associate degree
in nursing graduate Gerardo Cantu-Hernandez has faced more battles than many
will in a lifetime.
Born with cancer caused by a rare mutation that led to the
loss of his eye at age 4 and re-diagnosed twice as a teen and young adult, he
was once told he would never become a nurse. But at STC, he found a community
that believed in him, empowered him and helped him reclaim his dreams.
“STC saw strength where others only saw struggle. While
another institution told me I couldn’t be a nurse, STC gave me a chance and
helped me believe in myself,” he said. “STC helped me realize that only I have
the power to define my future.”
A San Juan native, Cantu-Hernandez was inspired to pursue a
career in the medical field after frequent hospital visits throughout his
childhood due to his own health challenges, where he discovered that nursing
offered a world of possibilities.
“The first time I was diagnosed, I was very young,” he said.
“But the second time, I was 14 and was fortunate to be surrounded by amazing
oncology nurses. One of them was a travel nurse and she opened my eyes to the
fact that nursing isn’t limited to just one place, there are opportunities to
travel the world and help all kinds of people.”
When he was rediagnosed with cancer, this time in his right
knee, he endured another surgery, one that required replacing bone with metal
rods. He faced intense physical therapy and had to relearn how to walk, but
through it all, his spirit never wavered.
“Losing my eye at such a young age was, of course, a
struggle, but over the years I adapted, and it was the same the second time
around,” he shared. “As I started physical therapy and regained strength in my
leg, I became fully capable again. I never wanted to use my condition as an
excuse or believe I couldn’t make something of myself. I’m just as capable as
anybody else.”
Cheers!
Donna
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