Young mom featured on KENS 5 dies years after speaking about breast cancer recovery; Family carries on legacy
Her family is working to restore and expand the nonprofit Dezare started before her death, Liv2Luv, and keep Dezare's legacy alive.
There are people you meet in life, even for just a few minutes, that can leave a lasting impression.
A hopeful young mother whose cancer was in remission was that person for KENS 5 anchor Sarah Forgany. She interviewed Dezare Cedillo back in 2015 for Breast Cancer Awareness month. Their paths crossed again when they came together to help Hurricane Harvey victims in 2017. That was the last time they would meet as Forgany learned years later that Cedillo passed away after a three-year battle with a cancer reccurance.
Her story now picks up through her family, who is working to restore and expand the nonprofit Dezare started before her death, liv2luv, and keep Dezare's legacy alive.
Chapter 1 liv2luv's early years
Throughout her journey fighting cancer, Dezare was determined to give back.
“She never focused on, I'm sick, even when she was really sick," Dezare's mom, Carol Dalton, said.
Her compassion for the less fortunate led her to create Liv2Luv in 2014. It's mission, inspired by her faith, is to help members of the community with various needs.
"What she embodied was so contagious. That positivity," her dad, Brad Dalton said.
Dezare even brought her sons along as she would strive to help others.
"We did the Race for the Cure all the years. We would all wear these pink shirts that you'd make and like the pink shoes." her son Joshua said.
She was able to join forces with Forgany's supply drive for Hurricane Harvey victims in 2017, reuniting with the news anchor who interviewed her two years earlier. She told Forgany her health had recovered and she was there to drop off a truckload of supplies she had collected through the nonprofit.
"I stopped by the Dollar Tree and grabbed a ton of stuff," Dezare said in a social media video the pair did together as they urged others to chip in. "You can definitely save someone's world, one person at a time."
Chapter 2 Finding hope
Dezare's family shared that soon after meeting Forgany again in 2017, her cancer reoccurred and spread fast.
The mother of three boys fought bravely for three years until her death in March of 2020.
She would always push through for the fight,” said Joshua. He was only 7 years old when he lost his mom. “I can't control what happens, but I can control how I react. I understand how life doesn't always work out how you want it.”
Dez's family continues to heal by keeping Dezare's passion for helping others alive.
"When it comes to your child, that is the hardest pill to swallow. And it was very hard," Carol Dalton said. "You know I don't cry for Dezare. But speaking of her now and her life and her love, It's a beautiful thing."
The family is continuing Dezare’s work by expanding and renaming her nonprofit organization. It is now called Dezliv2luv.
“Our job now is to do good and love like she did," Carol said.
One of her ideas was restoring this beat up Volkswagen she called the "Jesus Bus," to use it for her nonprofit.
"That was Desiree's motto.... Believe you can, believe in yourself and speak it into life," Carol said,
Just one day before she passed, Dez was granted her wish, partial money to fix up the Volkswagen, but to this day, the family is searching for someone to do it. Dez's dream was to be able to take cancer patients out in the van for a spa day or a day of relaxation.
Though their work on the Volkswagen and restoring the nonprofit is in its early stages, they believe Dez's creation can still thrive and expand.
Chapter 3 Moving forward
One of the people inspired by Dezare's life and actions for others is her sister, Brenda Ramon.
"She had that mentality. If it's put in my heart, I need a follow through. So I felt if it's put in my heart, I need a follow through," Ramon said.
Walking in her sister's footsteps, Brenda has been piecing together community projects, like a recent backpack drive, to help anyone in need.
"That's what we want to continue generation after generation by continuing her legacy, her foundation, her organization in her spirit to keep it alive," an emotional Ramon said.
As her sons, parents, sister and many people whose lives she touched carry on without her, they take comfort that they are carrying her with them.
"I'm glad the world gets to know how great she was," her son Joshua said,
"She may have only lived to 35, but she lived a full life," Dez's father said.
If you would like more information on helping the family restore the Volkwagen or to help donate to the nonprofit Dezliv2luv, click here.