Community rallies behind Paso Robles grad battling rare cancer
A 2024 graduate of Paso Robles High School, Bianca Rangel was voted senior class president and homecoming queen. A camp counselor, cheerleader, babysitter and more — the 18-year-old has given a lot to her community.
But now, the community is giving back.
Rangel was diagnosed in August with stage 4B Hodgkin lymphoma, a rare cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The diagnosis came after Rangel had experienced strange symptoms — shortness of breath, irregular bruising and a swollen lymph node.
Soon after, the doctors discovered that the cancer had formed a large mass in her chest.
Since then, Rangel has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy. She entered her third round on Sept. 19, just two days after her 18th birthday.
Family member Sara Dobroth described Rangel as “an incredible human.”
Dobroth hired Rangel to work at the Paso Robles Sports Club at just 14 years old, because “she’s just that person.”
Dobroth also attended a recent drive-by party to celebrate Rangel’s 18th birthday, where more than 50 cars full of people showed up to celebrate Rangel.
“She’s one of my favorite humans in the whole world,” Dobroth said.
But this process has been “extremely hard” for the family, Dobroth told The Tribune.
Rangel is receiving treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles and is in outpatient care, meaning her family has to commute regularly and pay for hotels anywhere from four to six days at a time.
“It’s just getting really expensive,” Dobroth told The Tribune. “ ... Any help that they can get is super, super appreciated.”
Dobroth organized a GoFundMe campaign to help with the family’s expenses. As of September 23, the effort had raised $31,052 of its $45,000 goal.
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