Glendale Community College alumna Samantha “Sami” Banuelos is reaching out to the campus community for support via a GoFundMe after her younger sister, Melanie “Mel” Banuelos, passed away on Sept. 4 due to complications from cancer. Mel was diagnosed with alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma, an aggressive cancer, at 16, and battled the illness for nearly seven years.
During Sami’s time at GCC, she wrote an El Vaquero article documenting the months following her sister’s initial diagnosis and its impact on their family. “Samantha was an integral part of our newsroom and such a joy to have in class. When I learned what she was going through, it was just heartbreaking,” said Journalism associate professor Reut Cohen Schorr. “It was no question that we would support her as a department as much as we could. The entire Journalism Department and Language Arts Division shares in Samantha’s pain and is truly sorry for the family’s loss.” Mel also briefly enrolled at the college during the pandemic.
Among friends and family, Mel was known for her confidence, sincerity, and impeccable style. “Honest and kind, Mel B only spoke the truth. I loved that she kept it real,” Sami said in an interview. Mel loved starting family traditions, often taking inspiration from movies and TikToks to try out new recipes and activities, Sami noted.
Mel was also an avid One Direction fan and continued to support the former band members in their solo careers. “In 2021, Make-A-Wish LA granted her wish to go to see Harry Styles in concert at the Forum. From then on, my sister made it her mission to have us see all of the boys,” explained Sami. “The day after my sister’s service, Zayn announced his tour set for October 2024. I know my sister would have wanted us to go, so my mom and I will be there.”
Sami credits her mother as being the biggest support for both Mel and herself. “I could write an entire novel dedicated to my mom and how amazing she is. She raised us on her own and has always given us an endless amount of love. We have never felt as though we have missed out on anyone or anything because she has given us everything and more,” she stated. Mel and her mother were particularly close, sharing a bond that Sami described as “the most beautiful thing on earth.”
“This year was the hardest,” admitted Sami. “Even when my sister’s oncologist told her there was nothing else that could be done she researched what else was out there and asked for another round of chemo. Mel fought until the last second; she is the definition of brave. My greatest honor is being her sister.”
On their GoFundMe page, the Banuelos family observes that September is also National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. “Only 4% of federal cancer research funding is allocated to childhood cancers, and each year, around 15,000 children are diagnosed with this devastating disease,” the family’s GoFundMe page notes. “It’s imperative that we come together to raise awareness and support so that no child has to face this fight alone.”
You can support the Banuelos family here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mel-b-a-beautiful-soul-and-ultimate-fighter
Sami’s El Vaquero article can be read here: https://elvaq.com/features/2018/09/19/my-sisters-battle-with-cancer/
Carissa Coane can be reached at [email protected].