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Although Lupita lives with a genetic disorder and is nonverbal, her spirit shines brightly through her passion for singing and dancing. 

"Lupita is a very loving and happy girl,” says Lupita’s mom, Yolanda. “She loves music and dancing, and she sings as best she can. You never see Lupita down."   

In 2019, Lupita became unusually lethargic. She had trouble getting up in the mornings, and her teachers noticed that she was nodding off in class and lying down often. Thinking she had a cold, her parents took her to the doctor. They were shocked to find out that Lupita had leukemia. Lupita underwent two and a half years of treatment that extended through the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Due to her immunosuppression and stay-at-home orders, Lupita couldn't celebrate her 15th birthday with her friends and family. This was especially difficult because the quinceañera is a big part of their family’s culture. 

When Yolanda found out Lupita would receive a wish, she knew what would light up her daughter’s world with joy—the big quinceañera she missed out on the year before.

"I had to think about the things that Lupita likes," says Yolanda. "I knew a party and dancing would make her happy." 

Lupita’s Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area team worked closely with the family to ensure the perfect celebration for her. The décor was all pink, gold, and glittery, and the food was her favorite things—pizza, tacos, and chocolate cake! 

“Lupita chose everything the way she wanted it,” says Yolanda. 

Before the big day, Padis Jewelry, a donor and partner of Jewelers for Children, gifted Lupita with a stunning tiara and a dazzling custom rhinestone nameplate necklace. Lupita’s younger sister Natalia received a beautiful necklace, too! 

When the morning of the birthday party finally arrived, Lupita and Natalia both had their hair professionally styled and makeup professionally applied. They also got manicures. Next, Lupita donned her beautiful pink ball gown and her gifted tiara. 

“When Lupita put on her dress and her necklace and saw herself in the mirror, she was so happy,” says Yolanda. “She couldn’t stop looking at herself. She looked beautiful. You could see she felt like a princess.”  

Lupita was escorted to St. Matthew Parish in San Mateo for the Catholic service and a photo shoot and then to Beresford Recreation Center, where her loved ones eagerly awaited her grand entrance. Some guests had traveled all the way from Mexico to celebrate Lupita after being unable to visit for several years during the pandemic.   

“You could tell the day of the party when she entered,” says Yolanda. “It showed so much in her face, a giant smile. It was nice to have the family share that day with us, everyone that Lupita knows and loves and who used to help take care of her growing up.”

Lupita had the time of her life at her quinceañera, dancing the night away with her family and friends.  

“It was unforgettable,” says Yolanda. “My favorite memory was seeing Lupita enter the room. She had such a happy face. The second was the father-daughter dance. She was so excited.”

Three months later, the memories of that happy day serve as a source of comfort for the family, especially during challenging times caused by Lupita’s illness. The photos also continue to bring brightness—Lupita’s medical team even hung up some in the hospital lobby.   

“We go through so much with Lupita’s illness,” says Yolanda. “I can’t work as much as I would like to, and my husband puts all his efforts into supporting us, so for Lupita’s dream to come true with a party like this, is truly wonderful."

Thank you, Jewelers for Children, for generously adopting Lupita's wish!