October 1st marked the end of a hard fought battle for Arianna “Ari” Villalobos and her family, but it is just the beginning of something much greater. In October of 2018, Ari began to develop headaches and eye pain for several weeks. Nevertheless, she persevered and fought through the pain and excelled academically and on the field. However, the headaches continued and on October 8, 2018, Ari was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 14. Doctors found a brain tumor the size of a tangerine lying in the middle of both hemispheres of the brain. The tumor attached to blood vessels, making it impossible to be surgically removed at that time. From numerous surgeries to various treatments and her new life in and out of the hospital, Ari continued to be brave and live by the strength of love and faith. Ari battled for her life for 51 weeks and her friends and family stood by her side throughout her entire journey.
In a heartfelt post, her mother Nikki valiantly let the community know her baby girl had taken her last breath here on earth, “Our beautiful baby girl has fully embraced her Lord Jesus. She is completely healed and restored running on the soccer fields of heaven. Our girl gets the honor of looking on the beautiful face of our savior!!! How awesome is that!!! Please, please, please don’t tell us your sorry Ari wanted us to make sure people didn’t say sorry but get saved for Jesus. We’re not sorry we’re grateful for God trusting us with this trial. We will allow beauty for ashes and purpose for the pain for the moment our baby girl breathed her last breath she breathed her first in heaven. She’s free!!! No more cancer!! No more doctors!! Our girl lives in glory and splendor. Praise be to God our father who is still good no matter what.”
At a time when most parents would be falling apart, the Villalobos family has shown tremendous strength and dignity and an overwhelming sense of hope. City News Group had the privilege to follow Ari’s plight from the very beginning and was invited to a prayer vigil and balloon release recently. Hundreds of Ari’s family, church and community members, and fellow athletes gathered in front of her home Wednesday, October 2nd in a show of love and support. The vigil was organized by her coach and teammates of Legends, in order to honor a much loved and gifted young woman. The event was bathed in prayer and worship and an unexplainable peace was in the atmosphere. Ari’s parents Nikki and Chris spoke about their daughter and her vision for their future, “She was so selfless and giving that she wanted her brain and spine donated for research so that other parents don’t have to go through what Chris and I are experiencing,” explained Nikki. Ari donated almost every part of her body that she was able to so that others could live and have opportunities. She was always a giving person even after she went home to be with the Lord. One of her requests was that through this battle people would not feel sorry for her, but would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus. The first part of that was fulfilled on Wednesday evening in front the very home where she had been trained up in the things of Christ.
“Our baby girl is working from the heavenlies!!! Last night at Ari’s prayer vigil about 25 teenagers, and parents received salvation and gave their lives to Jesus! How awesome is that?! Then my friend who is a youth pastor at Elevation church told me they shared Arianna’s testimony and story and over 35 kids gave their lives to Christ! Talk about turning pain into purpose! This is just beginning! My girl’s life is making impact! Oh my sweet pea I’m so proud of you!!!” Reported Nikki.
Ari’s Celebration of Life Services will be held on October 19, 2019 at 10 am at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton with a reception to follow at Echoes of Love church in Colton. The second annual #Aristrong kickball tournament and car show are planned for November 16, 2019 to raise funds for the family, and to help start a foundation in her honor.