In all my years playing around the world, I have never seen a brighter soul than Chiara’s. You would
never know what it took for her to be here.
After Misdiagnoses, Chiara Turned to Montefiore Einstein and Triumphed over a Rare Cancer That Nearly Stole Her Future as a Dancer
December 23, 2022
Pilo Gomez, musician
Chiara Valle was dancing with The Washington Ballet when she developed an excruciating pain in her left leg.
After misdiagnoses and continued pain, Chiara turned to the specialists at Montefiore Einstein, where David S. Geller, MD, Vice Chairman, Strategy and Innovation, Orthopedic Surgery, and Co-Director, Orthopedic Oncology, made a horrific discovery. She was suffering from Ewing sarcoma, a rare, cancerous form of bone tumor.
Remaining mindful of Chiara’s lifestyle and ambitions, and not believing in a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment—a team of Montefiore Einstein specialists, including David M. Loeb, MD, Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Cellular Therapy, and Professor, Pediatrics and Developmental & Molecular Biology, and Jana Fox, MD, Attending Physician and Associate Professor, Radiation Oncology, ultimately recommended a radiation plan that would destroy the tumor while allowing the young ballerina to keep dancing.
Together with her world class team, Chiara got back to The Washington Ballet and is now a dancer with City Ballet of San Diego.
Hear from Chiara and her doctors and learn more about Chiara’s story.
