‘I Made it to 15’ (Exclusive)

When it came time for her quinceañera, a teen with rare cancer chose a special dress that honored her fearless spirit — and her future.

Aylin, a current St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis patient who asks that her last name not be used for privacy reasons, donned an aqua gown, while her radiation oncologist gifted her a shark pin to wear.

“I want to be a marine biologist and I wanted my dress to reflect that,” she tells PEOPLE.

A quinceañera is a traditional Latin American celebration for 15 year old girls, signifying the transition to adulthood — and late last month, Aylin’s Cinderella-like gown, ornate crown and shimmering jewelry helped mark an unforgettable moment for a courageous young woman who has already endured unimaginable challenges.

In October 2022, when Aylin was just 12 years old, she was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer called fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FL-HCC). The diagnosis turned her world upside down, but Aylin’s mom says her daughter has faced every step of the journey with remarkable courage and grace.

“She is so strong; she is my strength,” says her mother Nallely, who remembers that “there were times when I was like ‘What if we don’t get to 15?’ “

Shortly after her diagnosis, Aylin endured a grueling 12-hour liver transplant at St. Jude’s. Her recovery was long and demanding, requiring months of strength and perseverance, followed by six cycles of chemotherapy. She could no longer attend her public school and instead had a teacher at the hospital.

During that heart-wrenching time, she lost her hair, but not her spirit.

“Aylin is so strong, and it amazes all of us,” says her mom. “Her doctors tell her, ‘You’ve had so many rounds of chemo, and you’re standing up, smiling and happy.’ ”

“I don’t know how she does it,” she adds.

By 2023, when her initial treatment ended, Aylin and her family hoped for brighter days. But in December of 2024, they found out her cancer had returned, spreading to her stomach, esophagus, intestines and pancreas.

The severity of the situation resonated with Aylin.

“When I got sick this time — I relapsed — that’s when it sunk in deep,” she says.

Doctors warned that surgery might be necessary to remove the tumors, but in the months that followed, Aylin endured additional rounds of chemotherapy and radiation at St. Jude’s, which began to help turn the tide. By late spring, tests revealed hopeful news.

“They scanned her, and her doctor (said), ‘I’m very excited — the tumor shrunk, they continue to shrink — we’re not going to do the surgery,’ ” Nallely says.

With surgery off the table for now and having completed radiation therapy, Aylin could move forward with her quinceañera as planned.

The momentous event included a Mass at her Catholic church and reception for 150 friends and family at Delta Blues Winery in Memphis. Her aunt, who owns a food truck, cooked birria, rice, beans and flautas for the hungry crowd.

Also in attendance was a fellow St. Jude’s patient who traveled from Alabama.

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At the celebration, Aylin danced with her dad, her grandpa, her uncles and her mom. “I’m dancing with her and that was the moment she was like, ‘Mom, I’m 15 — I made it to 15,’ ” Nallely tearfully recalls. “I said, ‘We’re here — let’s enjoy it.’ ”

Surrounded by family and friends, the jubilant teen embraced the moment in her dazzling gown, honoring tradition and her own miraculous journey.

“It was beautiful,” Aylin says. “I loved it.”