Cieras Wish Foundation

At just 17, Ciera Blackburn was known not for her diagnosis, but for her daring. As one of her state’s top female boulderers, Ciera had mastered the art of scaling sheer rock faces with focus, strength, and grace. But in 2009, her most daunting climb came unexpectedly—not on a wall, but through a battle with cancer.

It began with a painful knot on her shin. Doctors first dismissed it as shin splints. But months of lingering pain led to a biopsy and the life-altering words no teen expects to hear: cancer. Ciera was diagnosed with advanced B cell lymphoblastic lymphoma, which had spread to multiple organs. Though the diagnosis was staggering, Ciera faced it like a climb—measured, steady, and with determination.

She came to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, where she found more than medical care—she found community and purpose. From her first day, she took control of her story. Knowing chemotherapy would take her long, vibrant hair, she donated it to make wigs for other cancer patients. That selfless act set the tone for her journey.

Ciera endured grueling treatments, surgeries, and side effects—including avascular necrosis and even heart complications. Yet she never let the weight of illness dim her light. She stayed on top of her academics, planned for her future, and found strength in helping others. Inspired by her care team, especially her oncologist Dr. John Sandlund, Ciera found a new dream: to become a pediatric oncologist herself.

“I believe everything happens for a reason,” she said. “My reason is to help others like me.”

… Ciera’s story continues to inspire. She reminds us that strength isn’t just measured by how high we climb—but by how we rise when life challenges us. Whether scaling a wall or confronting cancer, Ciera Blackburn proves that courage, compassion, and vision can take you to incredible heights.