CT girl, 8, kept dancing while fighting a malignant brain tumor. Doctor says step her mom is taking is ‘rare’

Hartford Courant – Tuesday, September 29, 2026
By Pamela McLoughlin

A little girl kept her constant smiles and dancing through rigorous treatment for brain cancer with an unflappable medical team at Yale New Haven’s Children’s Hospital

It so inspired her mom, that the Wolcott resident decided to change careers so she can help other families.

Erika Mercado-Cruz , 45, now is training to become a Patient Care Technician and hopes to land a job at the hospital that saved the life of her daughter, 8-year-old Natalia Cruz.

She was previously a sterile processing technician at another hospital. Her training will be complete in November.

“This is where I want to be so they [families] have hope. I was once in their shoes,” Mercado-Cruz said.

“It was overwhelming, but looking back I was blessed with a great team. My daughter got me through, she was always smiling and loved to do dance parties,” she said.

Natalia, at 7 was diagnosed with a medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor found in children, said her doctor, Dr. Vidya Puthenpura, a pediatric neuro oncologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Yale School of Medicine.

According to the Mayo Clinic, medulloblastoma is a brain tumor “that starts in the back and lower part of the brain.” Mayo notes, “this part of the brain is called the cerebellum. The cerebellum helps control balance, movement and coordination. Medulloblastoma is the most common cancerous brain tumor in children, though it also can happen in adults.”

Natalia had surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and lots of side effects like exhaustion, stomach sickness and underwent constant prodding and poking.

Puthenpura said what Mercado-Cruz is doing is “amazing ” and highly rare.

“Erika is one of the most fierce advocates I’ve ever seen for a patient,” the doctor said. “It is so admirable.”

Puthenpura said the mom saw the need, especially on weekends, for more technicians and wanted to fill the gap.

Mercado-Cruz said in her new role — she hasn’t landed a job yet — she would be taking blood pressure and vitals, drawing blood for tests and would be able to interact with families and young patients.

Since she knows generally what they’re going through, she’s hoping lend a caring ear and educate them with resources, she said.

“This is where I want to be so they have hope,” she said. “To let them you’re not the first and you won’t be the last. Yes, it’s scary, but there’s a light at the end of the rainbow.”

At the end of her rainbow was a healthy child who is getting stronger by the day and still dancing anytime she can.

Puthenpura said Natalia is in remission and that she was considered high risk because the cancer had spread to her spine.

Puthenpura said it was a “rough therapy” and Natalia was a “great patient.” She was the epitome of “coping with grace,” Puthenpura said.

The child was “spunky and sassy” throughout, the oncologist said.

Upon completion of chemo the staff does a parade through the halls and Natalia, “Knew she owned the parade – it was adorable,” Puthenpura said.

Mercado-Cruz said it was Natalia, 7 years old at the time, that got her through it all.

“She was always smiling and loved to do dance parties,” Mercado-Cruz said.

As tired as the girl could be, when she got a little energy, she danced, Mercado-Cruz said. Natalia didn’t even flinch when her hair fell out.

“She never asked, ‘Why me? She never complained about any of it,” the mom said. ” I have to do something, I thought.”

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