In Loving Memory: Celebrating the Life and Strength of Teresa Cruz

At just 46 years old, Teresa Cruz was living a full and vibrant life — one centered on family, food, and simple joys. She loved to cook delicious meals, watch telenovelas, and spend quiet afternoons working on puzzles. Her greatest source of happiness was her children, who describe her as a loving mother with a warm smile and a generous heart.

Her journey with kidney cancer began unexpectedly. During a medical scan for an unrelated reason, doctors discovered something no one could have anticipated — a tumor on her kidney. It was a shocking and life-changing discovery.

A Courageous Battle

Teresa’s fight against kidney cancer was long and complex. Over the next several years, she faced multiple treatments with courage and faith — including surgery, radiation, immunotherapy, cryoablation, and alternative therapies that helped her manage the challenges of treatment.

Through every setback and side effect, Teresa remained strong for her children. They became her reason to keep going — the constant motivation behind every appointment, procedure, and recovery.

“My children helped me through everything,” she often said. “They gave me the strength to keep fighting.”

Her love for them fueled her resilience. Even on difficult days, Teresa focused on hope, positivity, and the little moments that made life beautiful — a family dinner, a favorite TV show, a completed puzzle.

A Legacy of Love

Although Teresa’s journey with kidney cancer came to an end, her legacy lives on through the people she loved most. Her strength, warmth, and quiet determination continue to inspire everyone who knew her — and all who hear her story.

She reminds us that courage is not the absence of fear, but the will to keep moving forward in the face of it.

At Climb 4 Kidney Cancer, we climb not only for those living with the disease but also for those, like Teresa, whose bravery continues to light the way for others.

We Climb for Teresa

Teresa’s story is one of love, perseverance, and family. She faced every challenge with grace and left behind a legacy of compassion and hope. Her children — and the entire kidney cancer community — carry her spirit forward with every step, every climb, and every act of kindness.