Dies at 19 from rare cancer and becomes an example of faith (VIDEO)
Victoria Torquato Lacerda, 19, Brazilian, died last Friday, July 9, victim of a rare type of cancer.
In 2019, she was diagnosed with high-grade alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that primarily affects the muscles of the chest, arms and legs. Despite the suffering, Vitória left a testimony of faith, love and evangelization.
Born in Holy Swamp, the young woman underwent chemotherapy sessions at the São Vicente de Paulo Hospital, in Barbalha, and radiotherapy, in Fortaleza.
In an interview with Almanac PB last year, the girl said it took a long time to discover the disease, because doctors thought her symptoms were signs of a spinal crisis or allergic sinusitis. Since the discomfort did not end, she went to an orthopedist, who suspected the severity and prescribed detailed examinations.
During radiotherapy, Vitória still had to deal with the death of his father, who suffered a stroke: “I was in Fortaleza for radiotherapy. It was then that my father had a stroke and died. It was unexpected because he was healthy, strong and active ”.
“I could have a thousand reasons to complain, be angry, frustrated. But I made the decision to let myself go to God. I used to complain about everything and I was very ungrateful. And cancer taught me to love. I had to lose everything in order to see myself as I really am. God disfigured me inside so that I could reconfigure myself and show everything I am, ”said the young woman.
Vitória was part of the Catholic group Aliança de Misericórdia and after receiving a visit from the members of the association, he decided to "unite his suffering with the redemptive sacrifice of Our Lord".
“On Wednesday 30 June, his mother called us to the hospital due to the worsening of her condition, which was becoming more and more fragile. We prayed together, he received the Anointing of the Sick and, in the end, we consecrated it. She accepted promptly, full of joy and with tears in her eyes. We prepared everything and on July 1st we experienced this moment of heaven on earth in the hospital room. Vitória said yes to God in the Covenant of the Charism of Mercy, delivering his sufferings and joys for each member of the movement and for the salvation of souls, uniting his suffering with the redemptive sacrifice of Our Lord ", said the group in a publication on social media.