After Beating Breast Cancer, She’s Helping Others Feel Seen and Supported at Central Health
October 28, 2025
The 59-year-old administrative office specialist walked with hundreds more on Oct. 26 at the annual Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk.
Laura Cruz is often the first person anyone will see when they walk through the doors of the Central Health administration building.
“I greet everybody with a smile every day, no matter how my day is,” the 59-year-old administrative office specialist said.
On a professional level, she answers the phones, manages the calendar, sets up meetings, and even connects walk-ins to eligibility specialists who can help with specific coverage programs to fit their needs.
But her impact with Central Health is much deeper than all of that, too.
She’s also a breast cancer survivor.
“I thank God every day,” says Laura, who wears a pendant affixed with a silver breast cancer ribbon for much of Breast Cancer Awareness month.
On Oct. 26, roughly two years into remission, she took part in the annual Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk in Austin. Over the last seven years, more than 40 walks in the United States have raised over $60 million for breast cancer awareness, spreading positivity to breast cancer survivors, and those living with metastatic breast cancer. As of 2025, according to the American Cancer Society, 1 out of every 18 Americans—roughly 18.6 million people—are cancer survivors.
Laura, a native of Mexico who was naturalized inside the Dallas Cowboys stadium in 1996, says she’s thankful for a lot of things. But the most important? It might be the fact that she’s still able to see her two sons, daughter, and four grandkids.
“I feel privileged,” she said. “To me, it’s very important to this walk, for me and my family that is no longer here.”
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
Nearly four years ago, Laura was diagnosed with HER2-Positive breast cancer. A doctor found a lump in her right breast.
Next up? She was unsure about all of that. Doctors caught it early enough that treatment would make a huge difference.
But Laura was still scared.
Her aunt died from cancer. So had her uncle. Her sister, a nurse, flew to San Antonio (where Laura was living at the time) just to comfort her when she learned the results. Laura was told she had Stage 1.
First came a lumpectomy procedure that would remove the tumor.
Next, she took on chemotherapy, radiation, and immunotherapy. Often, she would attend those sessions by herself, mostly because those closest to her didn’t want to experience the pain of seeing her suffer. Laura understood.
“I was OK with it, because that’s how strong I am,” she said.
Life Begins to Change
As fate would have it, though, this is when life started to give a little back. At the time, near the end of 2022, Laura was working in the Central Health administration building on Cesar Chavez Street as a housekeeper.
For much of her life, in fact, she had worked on her feet, in manufacturing plants and then in hotels as a housekeeper. When cancer arrived, her body worked overtime just to try and make it through the day.
As Laura worked at Central Health, though, she began to form relationships. Her warm smile and demeanor created friendships with employees like Christina Flores, Jackie Aguillon, and Rachel Cortez.
One day, Aguillon, the executive assistant and division coordinator for the CEO, came to her with an idea.
You should apply for the Administrative Office Specialist role.
Laura told her she didn’t have any experience.
“There’s talent everywhere,” Aguillon later said. “People sometimes just need an opportunity to move into another space and then they can conquer it.”
By then, Laura’s hair started to grow back. Her body was getting stronger.
Why not?
Laura’s decision was rewarded with an interview by Flores and Cortez.
She was hired in February 2023.
“What I really admire about her,” Aguillon said, “is that she has this calm. She has this calm demeanor, even if she has 15 things going at once. It could be a board meeting, or somebody walking in for a MAP application. It doesn’t matter. She always has this calm and collected personality.”
The Road Ahead
By 2024, less than a year into the job, Laura was given even better news: she was in remission.
It was a joyous moment, for sure, but at the same time, bittersweet.
Laura couldn’t help but think about the family members she had lost to cancer. Doctors also explained that cancer can be fickle. You’re never guaranteed that it won’t return.
“Cancer does run in my family,” she said. “I feel lucky because my other family members didn’t make it. I’m always scared when I go to the doctor. But I get my mammograms every six months. I always have nerves that they’ll tell me, ‘Guess what, it’s back.’”
Pushing Ahead
No one is quite the same after cancer.
But so many more—in fact, millions across the U.S. every year who reach cancer remission—are grateful for renewed life. That’s why Laura looks forward to the Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk every year now.
She enjoys being around people just like her. Survivors. People who endured cancer, people who continue to live life as intended.
“It’s hard when you go through stuff and you feel people don’t understand you, especially physically and mentally,” she said. “I feel privileged to be in this group. I’m still here. I beat it. I want to celebrate it.”
Many times, she says, all it takes is a smile. Recently, she did that a lot.
When You Should Talk to Your Doctor:
According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 316,950 women and 2,800 men in the United States will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year alone. Consult with your doctor to learn which tests you may need to screen for cancer based on your age and family history. Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about the different types of exams and tests available.
Can I Afford Cancer Screening:
The Medical Access Program is Central Health’s health care option for Travis County residents with low income. For information on whether you are eligible or qualify for MAP or MAP Basic, speak with a Central Health eligibility specialist to learn more about your options. You can reach us at 512-978-8130. Team members can help you Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.