Volunteer Spotlight: Juanita Guerrero

In 1993, Juanita's daughter Sulyana was diagnosed with leukemia. Over the coming months, Suly endured intense chemotherapy seven days a week. Treatment was hard, but Suly was strong and shortly entered remission. But 23 months into remission, she relapsed and needed a bone marrow transplant. Sulyana’s four-year-old sister Zuri was a match, and the family went through with the procedure.

“It was very scary, they diagnosed her with the worst type of leukemia, AML. We did not know if she would survive. The treatments were very hard on her,” Juanita said.

Six months into treatment, a social worker referred Suly to Make-A-Wish. Suly immediately knew what she wanted to do, and that was to go to Disney World and meet Snow White. In March of 1995, the Guerreros travelled to Florida, and Suly met Snow White.

“Make-A-Wish gives families hope, joy, and something to look forward to, especially when you are in a very dark place. After tests, treatments, and all the horrible stuff that is very painful, I think Make-A-Wish gave us the hope for our daughter and something to look forward to. Make-A-Wish gives you a wish when you need it most,” Juanita said.

Now, the two daughters are living a happy life, Suly as a teacher and Zuri as a mother. This diagnosis may have been one of the hardest experiences the Guerreros have ever faced but Make-A-Wish had an even bigger impact on their family, specifically Juanita.

During Suly’s treatment, Juanita spent her time at the hospital learning English with the doctors. After the wish trip, Juanita was forever thankful for Suly’s wish to be granted and wanted to express her gratitude for the foundation, so she went to the Make-A-Wish office to say thank you and offer her help with anything the foundation needed. There, they expressed to her the need for a bilingual wish granter. Immediately, Juanita was up for the job and began granting wishes as a volunteer with the organization.

 “I wanted to help many families in the hospital. The hope and joy that Make-A-Wish brings, I wanted anyone in the same situation as we were in to experience that,” Juanita said.

For four years, Juanita helped Make-A-Wish North Texas grant wishes. Her language skills and lived experience allowed Make-A-Wish to reach more families than the foundation could ever imagine.  

In 1998, the director of programming needed an assistant, and Juanita joined the staff. She became the first bilingual staff member. Juanita spent the next 25 years serving Make-A-Wish and the wish families of North Texas. She is motivated by the joy and hope that Make-A-Wish brought to her family, and she continues to share that with everyone she can. Juanita has helped Make-A-Wish North Texas grant more than 10,200 wishes over the years. She recently retired from the staff, but she continues to serve North Texas by volunteering with families and showing love to the staff.

“I always tell people, please don’t see this as a job, but please see this as a ministry. We are doing something good; we help the sick kids. We are making a difference in the lives of so many,” Juanita said.

Thank you, Juanita, for your service to both the Make-A-Wish staff and the countless families of North Texas you have impacted!