Monaco Elementary celebrates kindergartener in remission of childhood cancer
The clear sound of a bell rang out, followed by a roar of cheers in the Monaco Elementary gym on Sept. 3.
The occasion: a celebration of Carlos Bendana Jr. completing his lengthy childhood cancer treatments.
'It's amazing the way the school has stepped in for us from the beginning,' said Natalie Bendana, Carlos Jr.'s mother.
Her husband echoed that, saying the family has 'never been a part of anything like this.'
'Seeing the community come like this and the school come like this for our son is incredible,' he said.
Carlos Jr. was diagnosed with pre-B Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at only 3 years old.
The diagnosis came May 7, 2024.
'He started remission last year in June,' Natalie said.
The school-wide celebration came the day before the now-5-year-old's final chemotherapy treatment.
'At times, this day felt like it was never coming,' Carlos Sr. said. 'It felt like it was an eternity.'
Carlos Jr. was the final Monaco student to file into the gym, and as he and his family came in, music teacher Angela Lee led the kids in 'On Top of the World.'
Sprinkled throughout the room were pictures saying 'STRONGER THAN CANCER' and posters with sayings such as 'Super Carlos' on them, visual encouragements of the boy and his family.
Carlos Jr., facing his whole school with his own kindergarten class at his feet, beamed as fourthgrade teacher Andy Kane got down on his level and helped guide him through the bell-ringing ceremony.
'Guess what?' Kane said. 'You beat cancer. You're strong.'
He then told him to ring the bell, and again, the kids screamed their support.
Kane said after the ceremony that it was a joy to celebrate the milestone with the entire Bendana family, whom he helped support with a charity basketball game in the spring of 2025.
'To see the courage that he goes through life with is pretty awesome, and his wonderful sisters and his mom and dad—he just has the best support system,' he said. 'It was an honor to get to do that. I didn't expect that.'
He also said seeing the school support its own is what keeps him at Monaco, especially through life's challenges.
'They're never going to put it behind them,' Kane said, referencing the checks Carlos Jr. will need to make sure he stays in remission. '... But they get to ring that bell, and I'm glad for them.'
Carlos Sr. spoke about how special it was to have Kane's help throughout the process.
'He supported us, he did a charity event for us, so [it's] a big deal for us, too, for him to be here today,' he said.
Natalie and Carlos Sr. also spoke of the neighbors who have helped support the Bendana family through these years of treatment and emotional turmoil.
'We can't wait to get off this train,' Carlos Sr. said.
