I have never felt for peace and happiness with who I am. I am free. I am me. And I finally found where I belong!
— ZULEMA ARROYO FARLEY
LIFE BEFORE CANCER
Born in Puerto Rico, 1973 in a Hispanic family, I believe to be destined to achieve life-challenge goals and help the suffering individuals in this fast, pain-driven world. From having two surgeries by the time I was two months old to being diagnosed during adulthood with multiple autoimmune diseases including Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis, Autoimmune Retinopathy, Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis, Connective Tissue Disorder, Lupus, and numerous other rare medical conditions – I have faced life-threatening challenges showing me how important and worth-living every breath is.
The sense of strength and determination instilled in me by my mother, after my dad passed away when I was only 16 months old, is what kept me going all these years, fighting challenges and over-coming medical conditions to make the most of my time on this beautiful, worth exploring the world.
Sarcoma Diagnosis - Unexpected Turn of Events!
Two years into my fairytale of a life with my loving husband, my medical history decided to jump in and show me more to life and my purpose in this world. In February 2015, I underwent tumor resection in my anal muscle and gluteal muscle. That is when I learned I had a soft tissue Sarcoma – a sporadic and orphan cancer. I hadn't heard about it before, and I am sure 99% of you are unaware of it as well.
I decided to take matters into my own hands and moved to MD Anderson Cancer Center (MDACC) in Houston, in search of the best world's best sarcoma center, made a 250 square foot hotel room my home, underwent 25 procedures in three weeks and met with 20 oncologists to come up with the right treatment plan for my multiple conditions.
Artz Cure Sarcoma™ Foundation – A Hope For A Better Future!
Today, I am not cancer-free, but I am a survivor. Honestly, it sucks. Cancer isn't fair, and it shouldn't exist. But I had the privilege to get help from the best oncologists and the loving support from my husband to fight through the hardest of my times.
Unfortunately, approximately 15,000 new patients are diagnosed with sarcoma in the United States yearly, and not all of them are lucky enough to get the help I got. Since the number is too low, it gives no profit incentive to pharmaceutical companies and the research organizations to fund and develop targeted chemotherapies.
2016 — ADELE
With the aim to spread awareness about the rare and orphan cancer, I set on a worldwide journey when I met Adele. She called me up on stage at her London concert and allowed me to be one of the first global voices for sarcoma patients.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW
2016- PEOPLE EN ESPAÑOL
A few months after Adele, I was named one of People En Español's 25 Most Powerful Women for my restlessness activism and breaking barriers and have been the subject of many articles raising awareness for this cancer worldwide, including the USA, the UK, and my native Puerto Rico.
2017- SO MUCH MORE IS BORN
I signed an international book deal with globally renowned publishing company Atria Books, a division of Simon & Schuster.
I am thrilled to share with the world my inspiring story of soaring highs and profound lows, and the sarcoma diagnosis that changed my life forever. My memoir, So Much More in English and Muchísimo más in Spanish, is all about teaching you how to overcome obstacles in life.
Available now in bookstores.
2018- REVEALING MY PSYCHIC MEDIUM GIFT
By the age of five, I started to see, hear, and sense the presence of individuals who weren't of this world. My mother used to call them my "imaginary friend." But they felt very real to me the whole of my life. When I was eight, have my very first color apparition. That is when you see someone in front of you as if they were real.
