SANTA FE, N.M. (KRQE) – Within just a week, a Santa Fe freshman went from starting high school to starting chemo after a life-changing diagnosis. Dominic Harvey-Montoya, 14, started this school year like any other. “He puts his best foot forward for everything he does,” said Chelsea Talamante, Dominic’s mom.
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But just days in, Talamante said things started to change. She said Dominic, a wide receiver for Santa Fe High School’s football team, wasn’t feeling well. He had gotten a bloody nose, large bruise, and was frequently dehydrated. “You would just think right because they’re so athletic, dehydration, they need more water, or you got a bruise, you hit something…you kind of just notice they’re acting a little different,” said Talamante.
She said her maternal instinct told her something was off and took Dominic to the hospital. After days of tests, Dominic was diagnosed with leukemia. “You don’t expect right, your kids to have a diagnosis like this because it’s just scary, right? It’s so scary,” said Talamante.
Dominic has already started undergoing chemo treatments. But he is not alone in navigating this journey. “Our parents were immediately on it like how can we help the family, what can we do,” said Andrew Martinez, Head Coach for Santa Fe High School football.
He said families in the football program set up a fundraiser and shared the link on social media. “We just hope that we can just lift a little bit of burden off of their family,” he said. While Dominic remains in Albuquerque for treatment, the football program is making sure he is at Friday night’s game in spirit.
“We’re just dedicating it to Dom and his family, so we just want to get the word out, get support for the family,” said Coach Martinez. He said people can bring cards and donations to Friday night’s game against Belen at 7pm.
“It means a lot from the bottom of our hearts.it just shows how strong our community is together,” said Talamante.
She is grateful they caught the cancer early and is urging parents to trust their gut. “Our kids, nine times out of 10, won’t say if they’re feeling ill or not well, so, just trust our instincts as parents and just take them in to the doctor to be seen,” she said.
Talamante is thankful for the University of New Mexico University staff and doctors helping her son. She said so far, the chemo is working and that Dominic will be on a two-year treatment plan. “He’s in good spirits, Dominic. He’s always just so happy, you know, he’s so strong. I admire him for that,” she said.
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