38. From Surrender to Strength: Maria Ochoa Shares Life with Childhood Cancer

In this powerful episode of the Game Over: c*ncer, hosts Dana and Val sit down with Maria Ochoa, president and co-founder of Mia’s Miracles Foundation. Maria, along with her husband, professional golfer Camilo Villegas, created Mia's Miracles in honor of their daughter Mia, who passed away from brain and spine cancer at just 22 months old.


Maria opens up about surrender, grief, PTSD, and the unseen weight caregivers carry. She shares how love, boundaries, and support can transform the hardest seasons. She shares Mia’s story, the impact of treatment on the family, and why caregiver well-being is essential to a child’s care. Maria also discusses her own recent health battles, the choices she made, and the peace she’s found on the other side, offering wisdom for anyone navigating fear, trauma, or loss.

In this episode we explore:

• The reality of pediatric cancer for the whole family, and why caregiver health matters
• Grief, fear, and PTSD: naming it, facing it, and finding tools to heal
• Boundaries, marriage, and moving through hard things together
• The mission and impact of Mia’s Miracles Foundation 
• Practical ways anyone can help, because small gifts add up to big change

Connect with our guest and learn about and support Mia’s Miracles Foundation at:
mias-miracles.org

If this conversation moves you, please like, comment, and share to help us educate for change. Leaving a review helps more families find tangible hope.

Tune in to hear this inspiring and informative conversation. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join the fight to make Game Over: c*ncer a reality.

Connect with Dana: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danaknichols/
Connect with Val: https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-solomon/

Upcoming Ckc Events: https://cannonballkidscancer.org/category/make-an-impact/events/

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Podcast Produced by Hi Hello Labs: Website: https://www.hihellolabs.com/