Julian Castaneda was born and raised in Bakersfield, CA by his amazing parents Abraham and Erica along with a younger brother, Nathan. It was just a normal day when Julian started feeling very fatigue while he was in school. After getting seen by the school nurse, She recommended that we rush him to the hospital for more evaluation because he became really pale. After several treatments and days in the hospital he was diagnosed with leukemia. He was 10 years old. He never lost hope and with the support from his family he battled and completed 3 years of chemotherapy and was finally placed in remission.  He was finally able to go back to being a normal kid again. While at the Children's hospital for his periodic check ups, and after multiple tests, the doctors realized that the leukemia had came back in full force. They began treatment right away. Julian again had to put his childhood and goals on hold, as he faced his biggest battle to date.  He was 16 years old, After months of chemotherapy, his body was not responding to the treatments.  The doctors at the Children's hospital in Madera recommended that he be put on the bone marrow transplant list. He underwent a bone marrow transplant at the City of Hope hospital in Pasadena, CA. Thanks to the care of his doctors at both hospitals and with his successful bone marrow transplant,  Julian is a healthy 18 year old teenager who was able to return to high school with the rest of his friends to graduate. He is currently majoring in marketing at CSU Northridge. During his time in the hospital, Julian seen first hand how difficult it can be for children to have to live in hospitals for very long periods of time. He and his uncle have had many discussions on how they can use his story to make a difference and help children battling cancer by giving them the love and hope that he received first hand by his family and friends. Julian has made it his personal mission to make a positive impact and to do his part to show the world that with a positive mindset and hope that anything is possible.

The Bags of Love Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization focused on helping kids who are going through  cancer by providing the support and love needed to get through it all. Love conquers all. Let's do our part to help give hope to those who need it most.