HOUSTON, TX — April 16, 2025 — Some stories come full circle, and few are as inspiring as that of Anais Saenz. Once a young child fighting for her life, Saenz is now standing tall as the new Program Coordinator for The Periwinkle Foundation, the very organization that supported her through her most challenging days.

Diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at just two years old, Saenz’s battle was far more than medical. Though her treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital was successful, the emotional scars — survivor's guilt, anxiety, and unspoken grief — lingered long after her body began to heal. It was within the welcoming embrace of Camp Periwinkle and Camp YOLO, two flagship programs of The Periwinkle Foundation, that Saenz first found refuge.

“I didn’t know it at the time, but those camps were quietly helping me survive things I couldn’t name yet — grief, guilt, anxiety. I wasn’t just playing or making friends; I was healing,” Saenz reflects.

Now, years later, Saenz has turned her personal triumph into a professional mission. Armed with her lived experience, a passion for community engagement, and a background in theater and education, she is poised to guide new generations of young cancer patients toward connection, joy, and hope.

Anais Saenz with her mother/Photo credit: Camp Periwinkle Photographer
 

As Program Coordinator, Saenz will help lead one of Periwinkle’s signature experiences: Day Camp, a week-long summer program for pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital, set for June 16–20. Here, young campers will explore art, adventure, and friendship — all designed to uplift and empower them beyond the walls of the hospital. Doug Suggitt, Executive Director of The Periwinkle Foundation, couldn’t be more thrilled to see Saenz return.

“Anais embodies the spirit of healing and hope that defines Periwinkle,” said Suggitt. “Her return speaks volumes about the lasting impact our community can have on young lives. She’s a beacon for the kids she now leads.”

The Periwinkle Foundation is a Houston-based nonprofit dedicated to enriching the lives of children, teens, and families facing cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. Each year, more than 14,000 individuals are touched by the foundation’s programs — from over 12,000 art encounters to 615 camper experiences and 420 survivor engagement opportunities. The heart of this outreach? A community of more than 1,000 volunteers who give over 37,000 hours annually, making every offering 100% free for participating families.

Anais Saenz’s journey from survivor to supporter highlights the lifelong power of community and resilience. Her story is more than an inspiring comeback — it’s proof that compassion, creativity, and connection can heal the unseen wounds long after the physical ones have faded.

For more information on The Periwinkle Foundation’s camps and survivor programs, visit periwinklefoundation.org.

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