A Kidney Cancer Survivor's Journey to Healing

When Jasmine Francisco was diagnosed with kidney cancer at just 31 years old, her life changed in an instant.

As a deputy sheriff with the Kern County Sheriff's Office, Francisco was accustomed to helping others through difficult moments. Suddenly, she found herself facing one of the biggest challenges of her own life — navigating a cancer diagnosis while raising two daughters.

"I was fortunate that it was caught early," Francisco says.

Although cancer had affected other members of her family, kidney cancer was unexpected, especially at such a young age. After learning of her diagnosis in April 2025, Francisco knew she wanted a care team she could trust.

Choosing the right cancer care team

After hearing recommendations from friends and members of the community, Francisco asked to be referred to the Adventist Health AIS Cancer Center in Bakersfield, where she met hematologist-oncologist Vikas Ghai, MD.

From her first appointment, Francisco says she felt she was in the right place.

"Dr. Ghai answered every question I had," she says. "He was genuine and had a wonderful bedside manner."

Following surgery to remove a tumor and a portion of her kidney, Dr. Ghai continued to oversee Francisco's care through regular follow-up visits, imaging, and blood work to monitor her recovery.

"We consult with patients to develop the treatment plan that best fits their individual needs," says Dr. Ghai. "Francisco's surgery was successful, and she did not require additional treatment afterward. We will continue routine surveillance with yearly scans and blood work to ensure the cancer does not return."

Compassion that extends beyond treatment

For Francisco, excellent care wasn't limited to her physician.

She says every interaction at the AIS Cancer Center reinforced that she was surrounded by people who genuinely cared about her and other patients.

"No matter who I talked to, everyone was kind, professional and compassionate," she says. "You could tell they truly have a heart for helping people."

That level of personalized care provided Francisco with confidence during an uncertain time and allowed her to focus on healing.

Today, at 32, Francisco is recovering well and is in remission.

Comprehensive cancer care, close to home

The AIS Cancer Center provides comprehensive cancer services designed to support patients from diagnosis through survivorship. Depending on each patient's needs, services include:

• Advanced diagnostic testing and imaging
• Cancer screenings
• Chemotherapy and radiation oncology
• Clinical trials
• Nurse navigation
• Surgical care

These services will expand with the newly constructed Advanced Care Pavilion, which is next to the AIS Cancer Center. Once the pavilion opens at the end of 2026, services offered will include:

• Gynecologic Care
• Medical Oncology
• Orthopedics
• Neurology and Spine
• Advanced Diagnostics

Through the cancer center and pavilion, patients will receive coordinated, personalized care from multidisciplinary teams focused on achieving the best possible outcomes.

Looking ahead with gratitude

While Francisco's cancer journey also brought unexpected financial and personal challenges, she says she was surrounded by support from family, friends, coworkers, and the community.

Looking back, she's grateful not only for the people who rallied around her, but also for the compassionate healthcare team that helped guide her through every step of treatment and recovery.

Today, she continues routine follow-up appointments with confidence, knowing she has an experienced team dedicated to helping her stay healthy for years to come.