Teen Beats Leukemia, Motivated by Karol G’s Music

After years of fighting one of the most aggressive forms of cancer, 14-year-old Zoey Mallaganes is celebrating a milestone that once felt out of reach: remission.

Zoey was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was just 10 years old. What followed were years of treatments, hospital visits, and long, exhausting days. At one point, her cancer relapsed—forcing her to begin the difficult journey all over again.

But through every setback, Zoey held on to something that gave her strength: music.

More specifically, the music of Karol G.

Her mother says that connection made a difference during the hardest moments. Karol G’s songs—filled with themes of empowerment and resilience—became the soundtrack to Zoey’s fight.

Now, after countless treatments and unwavering determination, Zoey is in remission—a term doctors use to describe the disappearance or significant reduction of cancer’s signs and symptoms.

It’s a victory worth celebrating.

And recently, Zoey got one step closer to another dream: meeting the artist who inspired her through it all.

At a flea market pop-up event in Palm Desert, she had the chance to meet Karol G’s sister—an emotional moment she says she’ll never forget.

With Coachella weekend approaching, where Karol G is set to make history as the festival’s first Latina headliner, Zoey is holding on to one more dream: seeing her idol take the stage—and maybe, one day, meeting her in person.

For now, Zoey’s story is one of resilience, hope, and the power of music to carry someone through even the toughest battles.