Students are returning to in-person classes and activities at Pueblo County High School, excited for some normalcy following a tough 18 months of COVID Pandemic learning. For sophomore Izzabella Martin, she looks forward to the upcoming season of Cheer Team practices and performances.
But unlike most other students, this Pueblo County High School cheerleader was recently diagnosed with a rare kidney disease.
The Pueblo community recently came together to support Izzy, a bright, cheerful, and enthusiastic 15-year-old who was diagnosed with Nephronophthisis Type 1 in July. This genetic disease is very rare and affects only one in a million people. And with that prognosis comes an unknown future of countless doctor visits, surgeries, and at least future two kidney transplants.
“It was overwhelming at first. I didn’t know if my life would stay regular, and if I would be able to do cheer still,” said Izzabella. “But I’ve done pretty good. I’ve tried to stay to as normal of a life as I can, and I still enjoy all my hobbies and I still hangout with friends.”
“After every practice she comes and tells me ‘thank you,’ but really it’s her we need to thank for just being so positive. She always comes to practice with a smile, and she works incredibly hard,” said Della Tafoya, Izzabella’s cheer coach at Pueblo County High School. “When we found out about her condition, we knew as a team we wanted do something to support her and her family and what do we do best, and that’s cheer!”
Tafoya reached out to fellow Cheer coaches around Pueblo and all high schools agreed to participate in the showcase and lend their support to help raise funds for the next round of treatments, which will cost upwards of $400,000. 12 Cheer and Dance teams from throughout Pueblo School District 60 and 70 attended and performed at the showcase in front of a packed house of generous spectators.
Izzabella does her best to keep a positive outlook on the situation, and she has a message for those out there who are struggling with their own health issues.
“If you’re going through this condition or any condition, the best thing that has helped me is just talking to people about it. It’s okay if you cry or get sad, but it has helped me grow as a person,” said Martin. “I would like to thank everyone for helping me through this. It’s been hard, but it’s really nice to have everyone support me.”