He thought his childhood cancer was gone. But more than a decade later, it returned

This article first appeared in the Miami Herald in collaboration with the Lee Caplin School of Journalism and Media.

At just 2 years old, Jordan Gotay was diagnosed with Wilms tumor, a rare form of childhood cancer affecting the kidneys.

“Even in his worst pain, Jordan never broke down. He kept saying, ‘This is my path, and I know there’s a bigger plan for me,’ ” said his grandmother, Esperanza “Perry” Batista, who became his primary caregiver. “He’s my rock.”

Now 17, Jordan’s journey has been anything but ordinary.

After his initial treatment at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he underwent surgery to remove a kidney and several rounds of chemotherapy, his family believed the cancer was behind them. 

“By the time he was 5, we thought we were done,” Batista recalls. “The doctors reassured us it wouldn’t come back.”

But in September of this year, more than a decade after his initial diagnosis, the cancer returned. 

Jordan and his family, who live in Miami Gardens, are now facing yet another battle. 

“It was a shock,” Batista says. “He was feeling fine, going to school, and then we got the call after an MRI. It had come back in his lungs and spread quickly. Within days, he couldn’t walk. It was like the cancer woke up.”

Jordan spent weeks in Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital and Baptist Hospital, enduring grueling rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, followed by an advanced stem cell treatment in Holtz Children’s Hospital in Miami. 

Despite the toll it took, he remained determined.

“I just go with the flow,” Jordan says. “There’s nothing you can do about it at the moment, so I just see what happens.”

Sandra Muvdi, one of Jordan’s social workers at Jessica June Children’s Cancer Foundation, described the impact of the community’s support in helping his family through difficult times. 

“When I first spoke to Jordan’s grandmother, she was facing a medical, emotional and financial crisis,” Muvdi said “We stepped in to cover two months’ rent, pay utility bills, and provide grocery gift cards. The relief was immediate — it prevented eviction, loss of power, and hunger, allowing her to focus entirely on Jordan’s care.” 

She also nominated him for the Miami Herald/el Nuevo Herald Wish Book, a holiday fundraising drive that shares the stories of South Florida families in need and connects them with resources and assistance.

Jordan Gotay, his grandmother, Esperanza Batista, and their loyal family dog — finding comfort and strength together at home. (Photo by Nayeli Membreno)

Jordan’s resilience has inspired those around him, including Batista, who describes him as “a fighter.”

One memory stands out for her: a visit from a service dog at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood. 

“Jordan was down that day, but the dog just lay beside him, like it knew what he was going through,” she says. “It was incredible. It brought him comfort when he needed it most.”

Currently completing his senior year of high school through home schooling, he plans to attend college in Florida to study technology. 

He and his grandmother are working together to take the next steps in his education. 

“So we have a list, and we’re going through the colleges right now,”  Batista explains. “We’re going to start applying, but just to have him in Florida for the first year. Then he could go away, just the first year until I know that he’s completely over this.”

His love for gaming and technology has allowed him to see tech as a profession. (Photo by Nayeli Membreno)

Jordan’s passion for technology has been a driving force in his plans. 

“I’ve always been into tech,” he says. “I want to be a tech expert and work from home.”

Batista adds, “My daughter works in IT, so Jordan’s always been inspired by her. He started with streaming and now wants to take it further.”

Jordan’s love for gaming has been both a passion and a coping mechanism. 

“I like Smite, I like Fortnite. I’ll play anything. It doesn’t really matter what it is,” Jordan said. 

Batista regards his late-night gaming habits with a touch of humor, saying, “You can stay up to three o’clock in the morning, but you better be up at 7:30 a.m. for school.”

“Gaming definitely got me through the hard times,” he says. “It helped me stay positive.”

Batista agrees: “This is what kept him sane. Anytime he was down, he’d turn to gaming.”

Through it all, Jordan’s positivity remains unshaken.

Jordan Gotay and his family dog, Kenya. (Photo by Nayeli Membreno)

Batista attributes that in part to family support.

“It’s not easy, but every day is a better day,” she says. “We all made sacrifices for Jordan, but it brought us closer together. It took all of us — me, my daughter, her children — to make it through.”

For Jordan, his grandmother has been his biggest source of strength. 

“She’s the closest person to me,” he says. “She’s taught me so much — how to be responsible, how to cook and clean. She’s been my rock.”

Looking to the future, Jordan remains focused on his goals and the life he envisions for himself.

Jordan’s wishes are for a laptop computer and a PlayStation VR, reflecting his passion for technology and gaming. “There’s a lot of tech stuff I still need,” he explains. “That’s why I asked for those things.”

“Anything to keep him entertained and happy,” says Batista. “If I could bring him the world, I would.”

Through the support of his family and his unyielding determination, Jordan has shown that even in the face of life’s greatest challenges, there is always a reason to keep fighting.

As he reflects on his fight, he offers a message of optimism:  

“There’s always brightness at the end of the tunnel, so keep your head up.” 

Nayeli Membreno is a journalism and communication major with a minor in English. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, but with Argentinian roots, she brings a multicultural perspective to work. She is passionate about storytelling and enjoys keeping people informed through her writing. Her goal is to share stories, uncover the truth, and give a voice to those who need to be heard.