Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Santana.
Hi Wendy, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you so much for inviting me to have a conversation with you. I definitely didn’t have an idyllic childhood. Like too many others, I faced a great deal of adversity which led to low self-esteem and played out in my adult life as I became an overachiever, perfectionist, and workaholic. On the other hand, overcoming all that I did in my youth also helped me to become resilient and a fighter when I needed those qualities the most. And although it may take a while, I always end up creating purpose out of setbacks, trauma, and heartbreak.
A few years after working my way through college, I made a career change from for-profit (customer service and sales) to non-profit (fundraising). I spent 15 years building a successful career in the non-profit sector, where I helped lead and raise funds for services that benefited some of the most economically disadvantaged populations in Los Angeles. The only problem was that I was defining myself by my accomplishments. So, when things were good at work, I was happy and fulfilled, and when something major went wrong at work, my world was shattered.
There are many layers to my story, so for the purpose of this interview, I’ll just focus on one aspect… the one that began on the evening of October 15, 2014, when I suddenly suffered a grand mal seizure while reading in bed with my (then) eight-year-old son. Although I couldn’t speak or move, I could think, and not knowing what was happening, I thought I was going to die that night in his bed, which I feared would ruin his life. The seizure landed me in the hospital and soon after, I was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. As it turned out, the tumor was impacting my central nervous system and had grown across my left frontal and temporal lobes (affecting the areas of my brain responsible for speech and movement). Several weeks later, I endured a craniotomy. When I awoke, I couldn’t move my right side or speak. I spent over a month in the hospital. I was miserable (mostly due to my choice to self-isolate because I didn’t want the majority of my family or friends to see me in that condition) and as a result, I didn’t feel seen or heard.
I was also depressed from the sudden loss of my career, the loss of my ability to communicate, and the loss of control over my body. By the way, the steroid I was placed on to reduce swelling in my brain prior to the craniotomy had caused me to become temporarily diabetic. It went undetected until the morning of my surgery. Had I known that I had become diabetic I certainly would not have consumed that pint of Rocky Road ice cream for what I thought would potentially be my last meal. Imagine being in the hospital, not having the ability to speak or communicate, being temporarily paralyzed on one side of your body, and on top of everything having diabetes. Oh, how the nurses loved me. Not!
Yet, being someone who always had to accomplish something to validate my existence, a couple of months after brain surgery–while still relearning to walk, talk, and drive again–my son and I created a children’s book together called “That Thing on My Mom’s Brain” and used it to raise money to help other brain tumor patients. (At least I had a knack for finding ways to offset my need for approval in ways that helped others).
It took a few years but eventually, I regained my speech and the use of my right side. I slowly transformed myself during that time and discovered new strengths. As I learned to accept the situation for what it was, I began to build my self-worth from within. Eventually, I became a brain tumor/cancer advocate and created a blog called “2nd Chance 2 Live” https://2ndchance2live.com/ where I began divulging resources, interviewing brain injury and cancer survivors who had authored memoirs, and sharing messages of hope.
This led me to launch an ongoing social media campaign called “A Face of Strength” https://2ndchance2live.com/afaceofstrength/ where the goal is to generate 365 brain tumor/cancer awareness images, helping others within the brain tumor and cancer communities to feel seen and heard by featuring their profound strength and wisdom while putting a face on the disease(s). I also enjoy featuring brain tumor/cancer supporters (those who choose to be in the field and are making a difference). When I share these images on social media via my blog pages, they are accompanied by celebratory messages, recognition, and whatever background information people feel comfortable imparting. This campaign is also utilized as a way to memorialize those who lost their lives due to brain tumors and/or cancer. I launched the campaign on March 7, 2021, and have connected with hundreds of survivors and caregivers to create around 250 campaign images so far.
Then finally, after being medically retired for eight years, I resumed my fundraising career in April 2023 as the first West Coast Community Manager for the American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA) https://www.abta.org/ based in Chicago. I work remotely, and my responsibilities include building awareness, deepening support, and growing partnerships for the ABTA throughout the Western States. I’m also responsible for oversight of the California BT5Ks. In fact, the Los Angeles BT5K is happening at 8 a.m. on Saturday, October 14, at Tongva Park in Santa Monica! Local sponsors include Pacific Neuroscience Institute, Global Coalition for Adaptive Research, Keck Medicine of USC/USC Brain Tumor Center, Los Angeles Cancer Network, and UCLA Health. Additionally, Maria Quiban Morning Meteorologist from Fox 11 Good Day L.A. will be the event emcee. There will be informative sponsor tents and fun! For instance, Dr. Sara Bellum (Pom Neuroscientist) from “Behold the Pom” will be hosting an interactive tent where people can come and create their own Poms.
There currently isn’t a cure for brain tumors but thanks in part to events like these, the ABTA has been able to provide more than $34 million in vital research grants. The money generated through the BT5Ks also helps the ABTA offer valuable services and support programs to patients and caregivers free of charge.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
During my brain cancer recovery, I had another medical setback in 2017. I was in a great deal of pain which led to another major surgery. Then a few weeks ago, just as I was graduating to annual brain MRIs, I was diagnosed with CLL (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia). It really threw me for a loop, but after I allowed myself some time to feel down while I processed it, I was able to refocus on the fact that CLL is a slow-growing cancer, and fortunately, I don’t need treatment at this time. I am truly grateful that I can continue working and it may be several years before anything needs to be done about it. That mindset is the result of surviving brain cancer and all of the changes I have made during the last eight years. I’m not the same person I was before, and in some ways, that’s a good thing. Three of the biggest gifts I have gleaned through this journey are mindfulness, gratitude, and acceptance. Being in a “wait and watch” state with any disease isn’t easy, but my mindset is much calmer now.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Three years after my craniotomy, I finally felt strong enough to handle bright lights and loud sounds. I was invited to give a speech during a live “KPCC Unheard L.A.” show. It went well so I figured I was up to attending a large fundraising event. A few months later I participated in my first BT5K (Breakthrough for Brain Tumors 5K) by the ABTA and in 2019 I began volunteering on the BT5K (Los Angeles) planning committee. I also was honored to give the survivor speech that year.
I continued to serve on the ABTA’s BT5K planning committee through the pandemic and in 2022, I was recruited to join the ABTA’s Volunteer Leadership Advisory Council. A few of my blogs were featured in the ABTA’s newsletter, “MindMatters.” I also participated as a panelist during the ABTA’s “2020 Regional Patient & Family Meeting” and as a Round Table Presenter during the ABTA’s “2022 National Conference.” All of this helped me to rebuild my confidence and find my voice while my brain was busy establishing new neural connections. Throughout this time, I provided free strategy consultations to a handful of select non-profits and placed myself in situations where I could continue to push myself and grow. When the ABTA announced the formation of a West Coast position, I knew I had to apply for it. I wasn’t 100 percent sure I was ready to return to work though and the first few months were a huge adjustment due to almost debilitating fatigue. I finally built up my stamina, and I can honestly say I’m thrilled to be representing the ABTA full-time (plus I still contribute to my blog on the side). Additionally, this happens to be an especially exciting time to represent the ABTA as it marks a major milestone in our history–just before I was hired, the ABTA launched a five-year, $50 million campaign called “Meet Hope Head On” in honor of our 50th anniversary!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love reading memoirs (especially about others who have overcome impossible odds). Feel free to check out the “suggested reading” section of my blog at https://2ndchance2live.com/suggestedreading/ for a list of books that helped me to get to where I am today. There you can also find links to the author interviews I have done as well.
I also enjoy listening to and participating in podcasts. A few of my favorites are “Pathway To Purpose” with Todd Angelucci, “Clear Your Clutter Inside & Out” with Julie Coraccio, and “Every Day is a New Day” with Kim O’Neill.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://2ndchance2live.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/2nd.chance.2.live/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndChance2Live
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendy-santana-34392512/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/2nd_Chance2Live
- Other: https://www.abta.org/
