Your teen years are supposed to be a time of carefree fun—from learning how to drive, to planning for prom, to dreaming about the future. But for Andrea Viejo, the future suddenly became uncertain when she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in her skull at just 16. Instead of letting it define her, she fought back. Now, at 32, she’s turned her battle into purpose, founding the Andrea Believes Foundation to give back to others facing their hardships.
“ I’ve come across so many challenges and life experiences that have led me to finding what my purpose is in life,” Viejo shared.
Born as the only daughter to an Ecuadorian mother and Cuban American father in Miami, Viejo had a carefree childhood. At age 12, Andrea would lend her time to volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House, where she first encountered the lives of families battling severe illnesses.
However, life took an unexpected turn when Andrea began to experience concerning symptoms: numbness in her left arm and a loss of balance so severe that it caused her to fall down a flight of stairs. A visit to the doctor revealed that Andrea had a neurocytoma in her cerebellum, a tumor that, though non-cancerous, was inoperable. Located just at the back of her skull and the beginning of her spine, Andrea became the youngest person ever diagnosed with this condition.
Reflecting on the frustrating uncertainty of her diagnosis, Viejo shared, “Doctors didn’t really understand what was going on, and it was frustrating.”
Even with the uncertainty, Viejo confronted her diagnosis directly and agreed to have annual MRIs to keep an eye on the tumor. With an unwavering resolve, she advanced her education. In 2017 she obtained a Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in Health Services Administration (with a minor in Psychology) and then in 2019 she earned her Master’s in Public Administration (along with a certification in HR Management).
At age 30, however, another challenge was presented when Viejo became partially deaf and needed hearing aids. Although this new challenge was discouraging, Andrea’s faith and assurance kept her going.
When faced with a diagnosis as serious and life-altering as hers, Viejo found herself at a breaking point, questioning her purpose and also struggling to make sense of it all. But a profound realization was on the horizon.
“I reached a point in my life where I kind of asked God, like, ‘Why, why me?,” she shared. “I came to realize that he puts these challenges in my life because he wanted me to inspire and motivate others around me, especially the youth. I believe that the youth is our future.”
In 2022, Viejo founded the Andrea Believes Foundation, focusing on mental health, homelessness and child welfare, as these were the predominant issues affecting her community.
The foundation has made an impact through beach cleanups, feeding the homeless, organizing food drives for students facing food insecurity, and creating care packages for those in need. Viejo has been an active participant in numerous community service events, including community cleanups, food drives, and acts of service for veterans. However, service events that hit closest to home for her are the ones at the Ronald McDonald House.
Viejo, speaking about her advocacy, shared, “As an individual, I believe that you need to be in someone’s shoes to truly understand what they’ve experienced. That’s where my advocacy comes in. I know what they’ve been through. I know how hard it is. I know how hard it is to be a patient.”
Viejo’s commitment to service has not only touched countless lives through her foundation but continues to inspire students at FIU, where she currently serves as the director and role model of the Panther Community Action Board (PCA). Her leadership has shaped the path for students dedicated to making a difference in the community.
Alma Lozano, a fellow member of the PCA Board, said, “Andrea has always maintained the positivity that is so characteristic of her. She is a great example of generosity, and I know she will continue to guide our students along that same path,”
“Working with Andrea has been an incredible experience,” shared Andrea Valencia, a fellow member of the PCA Board. “She has supported both my creativity and the board’s, encouraging us to think outside the box. Thanks to her guidance, I have learned how to be a leader, identify resources, and take action.”
While the Andrea Believes Foundation has been open for only three years, it now has nearly 2,000 students involved from across Miami-Dade County. Andrea hopes to expand both locally and beyond.
Diana Hughes first met Viejo in high school through her mother, a friend of Viejo. At that time, Hughes was looking to gain community service hours. She quickly developed admiration for the way Viejo organized and promoted service events. Inspired by Viejo’s leadership, Hughes later founded her own nonprofit, the School Pantry Coalition, after graduating. She credits Viejo as an example of how to effectively receive donations for charity and lead with purpose.
Hughes shared, “I believe that she’s a phenomenal person and that the community would not be the same without her, she has helped numerous people, families, and communities around her.”
You can contact the Andrea Believes Foundation on WhatsApp at 786-682-6892 or visit their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram. Or you can donate to this organization here
