Adilene

Adilene Estrella Rivas was born on June 21st, 2008 to Andrea Cruz and Hilario Rivas. In 2017 at only 8 years old, she was rushed to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC) due to chronic stomach pain. After a biopsy she was diagnosed with a yolk sac tumor, stage 4 ovarian cancer. She went through numerous rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, stem cell transplants, and blood transfusions. Through it all Adilene was  courageous and rarely showed the pain she was going through. Even after her hair loss and lack of energy she continued to be the life of the party, dancing, laughing and her favorite, cuddling with her loved ones. During her hospital stays, Adilene was full of sass and gave her nurses and doctors a  hard time in the beginning. Once She came around, she was very loving to whoever was attending her. The smiles and the sass stayed with her until the very end. She was strong willed and it showed, Adilene’s fight left doctors and family shocked. Throughout her last days, she reassured her family that she was okay and she loved them. She went to be with the Lord at 3:45 in the morning, on Saturday May 15, 2021. She is survived by her mother, her father, and her siblings. Adeline will forever be with us!

———

Special thank you to Helen Macfie, Regina Gonzalez, Gabby Bailey and Monica Hernandez.