A story of strength, survival and thriving after cancer
Freshmen Year Interrupted
Your freshman year of college is supposed to be a thrilling new beginning—making friends, exploring your independence, and dreaming about the future. But for Claudia Nelson, that chapter took an unexpected and life-altering turn.
Just three months into her first semester at Tarrant County College, Claudia received devastating news that brought her world to a standstill.
Back in high school, Claudia was a passionate varsity tennis player. But during her senior year, she began experiencing excruciating back pain—so intense it would stop her mid-practice. At the time, her coaches and even her parents assumed it might just be typical teenage burnout. But Claudia knew something wasn’t right. Tennis was her passion, and not being able to play without pain was as frustrating as it was frightening.
Initial visits to a chiropractor, where sciatic nerve issues were suspected, provided no relief. She graduated high school still battling daily pain and no real answers.
Then things escalated.
A hard lump began forming in her abdomen, and within weeks, the pain spread to her back. After two more grueling months of discomfort and growing concern, Claudia decided it was time to take matters into her own hands. She began her search for answers with her primary care provider, sparking a long and frustrating journey through specialist after specialist—five in total—over the course of two months.
Finally, a biopsy gave Claudia the answer she’d been searching for but definitely one she was not prepared for. In November 2015, Claudia was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma—a rare, aggressive form of pediatric cancer that primarily affects adolescents and young adults.
The Diagnosis No One Expects
The future she had envisioned as a college freshman was abruptly placed on hold. Claudia suddenly found herself navigating a world no one asks to enter—the isolating and uncertain life of a young adult living with cancer.
Because of the urgent and aggressive nature of Ewing sarcoma, Claudia had no choice but to withdraw from college and begin treatment immediately.
Over the next year, she would endure 17 rounds of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of Proton Radiation. It was grueling, both physically and emotionally.
“At the time, I had just become old enough to be considered an adult—signing my own documents and attending appointments alone,” Claudia recalls. “But I was receiving treatment at a children’s hospital. It felt a little strange, but I was so thankful to be there.”
Because Ewing sarcoma is considered a pediatric cancer, even young adults like Claudia are often treated at children’s hospitals, where doctors are more experienced with this rare disease and the outcomes tend to be better. Still, Claudia found herself in a unique space—too old to be a child, but not yet fully feeling like an adult. This group, known as Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) with cancer, often face a very different cancer experience.
“While my friends were going to concerts and parties or making memories in college, I was adjusting to a new life of doctor visits, chemo, and radiation,” Claudia said. “I felt like I was stuck in place, watching life pass by.”
Finding Support Through Rutledge Cancer Foundation
Luckily for Claudia, a social worker at Cook Children’s told her about Rutledge Cancer Foundation (RCF) and the different programs they had implemented at Cook Children’s. In Claudia’s words, “I instantly got a glimpse of hope.”
Carley Rutledge, also a Ewing sarcoma patient and the inspiration behind Rutledge Cancer Foundation, had been treated at Cook Children’s several years before Claudia began her treatment. Throughout Carley’s journey, she became passionate about a number of things she experienced, and finding ways to help AYAs fit in and feel more at home during their hospital stay was one of them.
Two of RCF’s earliest initiatives—Carley’s Closet and the AYA teen room—were a lifeline for Claudia. Carley’s Closet offered personalized self-care and entertainment items, helping Claudia feel more like herself during long hospital stays. “I’ve always loved art, and they had plenty of art supplies,” Claudia said. “Creating became my escape.”
Over time, Claudia and Carley’s paths crossed at follow-up appointments and they also participated in a video together promoting RCF and its programs for AYAs.
Adjusting to Life After Cancer
After finishing treatment, Claudia returned to Tarrant County College—but reintegration was anything but easy. She was no longer the same person she had been before cancer. Now, she had to balance classes with regular scans, follow-up appointments, and the lingering emotional toll of everything she’d endured.
Fortunately, her scans remained clear, and she was declared cancer-free just a few months after re-enrolling.
But the road to a “new normal” wasn’t just about physical recovery. It was about rebuilding her life.
Some friendships faded, others deepened in unexpected ways—but Claudia found her greatest comfort in connecting with others who truly understood. Through RCF, she met other survivors and participated in patient events like Top Golf outings, Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo trips, and Rangers games. These weren’t just fun get-togethers—they were moments of real connection.
New Doors, New Dreams
One especially life-changing opportunity came through RCF’s Oncofertility Program. At a Rangers game hosted by RCF, a staff member told Claudia about the fertility risks associated with cancer treatment—something she hadn’t been aware of during her treatment. Thanks to the program, she was still able to take steps to protect her fertility even after treatment had ended.
Another gift came in the form of a scholarship to attend Camp Mak-A-Dream in Montana, an adventure camp for cancer survivors. There, Claudia developed new friendships, built confidence, and felt truly understood. “RCF has been an incredible source of wisdom and hope for me,” she said. “Connecting with other young adults like me gave me strength, and I hope to be an inspiration for others, too.”
Today: Thriving, Healing, and Giving Back
It’s been nine years since Claudia completed treatment—and today, she’s living a life full of love and purpose.
In 2019, just after finishing her Oncofertility treatment, Claudia met Keenan. His mom had fought her own battle with cancer in his younger years, so he was familiar with the challenges of being a cancer patient and survivor.
“I think this really helped our relationship because he saw firsthand what living with cancer was like,” Claudia explains.
They were married in 2023 and together, they’re raising two beautiful children: their bright and spunky daughter Roselyn, now three years old, and their son Royce, who just turned seven months. Claudia’s life looks very different than she imagined when she first stepped onto her college campus as a freshman—but in many ways, it’s richer, fuller, and more meaningful because of what she’s overcome.
When asked what advice she’d give to another young adult newly diagnosed with cancer, she says:
Learn everything you can. Speak up. You know your body better than anyone else—and your voice matters.
Claudia’s story is one of resilience, self-discovery, and hope. She continues to stay involved with RCF and inspire the next generation of survivors—proof that even the most unexpected detours can lead to something beautiful.
Are you a cancer survivor interested in telling your story, sharing advice or lessons learned during your cancer journey?
We believe everyone’s story is unique, but there’s a powerful connection between anyone who’s faced cancer. By sharing your story, you can inspire and give hope to others who are going through similar struggles.
Please contact Kelly Wooley, Marketing and Communications Manager, if you’re interested. We would love to hear from you!