my story — vannycoo

I’m a two-time pediatric survivor of rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare muscle cancer, in my left leg. I spent a good chunk of my childhood in hospital rooms, doctors’ appointments, and physical therapy. But through it all, media was always there: blasting Hannah Montana on long car rides, playing Pokémon Diamond on my DS, rewatching Gravity Falls on repeat, or doodling in my notebooks.

That constant stream of stories and creativity shaped me into the optimistic, resilient, creative person I am today.

i've chosen to become a creator because in my hardest times, art and technology kept me afloat.

A young child with medium-length dark hair smiling and sitting in a bed with metal rails, wearing a blue T-shirt with colorful prints and matching blue pajama pants, in front of a wallpapered wall with a peacock pattern.

A young child wearing a colorful hat and glasses, sitting on a hospital bed, holding a pink Nintendo DS. There are medical equipment and wall outlets in the background.

A young girl is sitting on a patterned blue couch, smiling at the camera. She is wearing glasses, a pink cap, pink shirt, denim shorts, and pink shoes. She is holding a pink Nintendo DS, which displays the time 09:13. There are colorful books on a shelf behind her, and a purple water bottle with a straw is visible on her right side.

My diagnosis also introduced me to some incredible communities. My Make-A-Wish was meeting the princesses at Disney World; I performed “Waiting on a Miracle” from Encanto at Radio City Music Hall for Garden of Dreams’ annual Talent Show; I was a camper (and later a counselor) at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, where I learned archery, horseback riding, cooking, rock climbing, and so much more.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! These experiences not only gave me confidence to express myself freely, but they also let me meet other kids going through the same thing.

Hearing their stories made me feel a little less alone.

A group of children cheering and dancing at a party or celebration, with painted faces and colorful clothing.

Stage with colorful lights, large projection displaying the name Vanessa Cunta, with a performer in a white dress dancing in front of the screen and audience members raising their hands.

A woman with glasses and short hair standing next to a digital billboard displaying a colorful advertisement for a talent show called "Beyond a Dream" scheduled for April 13 at Radio City Music Hall. She is smiling and making a peace sign with both hands, wearing a light-colored jacket with a fur-trimmed hood over a dark top and light-colored pants.

I try to bring that same impact to my work now, whether that’s for these organizations directly, in the hospitals that once treated me, or anywhere trying to spread a little magic. I keep my inner child in mind, along with everyone I’ve met and grown up alongside, especially those I’ve lost along the way.

My dream is that, one day, my work reaches a kid sitting in a hospital room right now, the way I once was, and reminds them they’re less alone than they think. ❤︎⁠

Group of children and a camp counselor outdoors, all wearing orange shirts and making gesture with their hands, surrounded by green trees and sunlight.

A woman wearing a face mask and a red shirt making a peace sign next to a dog dressed in a yellow costume, sitting on a green platform with a green background and balloons shaped like a fish and a whale.

i've chosen to become a creator because in my hardest times, art and technology kept me afloat.

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