Sammy Ulloa has been a dedicated member of the MIB community for many years, serving as a former Junior Advisory Board President, current NextGen member, and now one of FACTOR's new HQ Co-Chiefs. Through each role, she has remained passionate about building connections and creating meaningful experiences for patients, survivors, and families. As FACTOR approaches, Sammy shares more about her journey, her involvement with MIB, and her vision for making HQ a welcoming and memorable space for everyone who attends.
Can you introduce yourself and share a little about your osteosarcoma journey and your connection to MIB and FACTOR?
Hi! My name is Sammy Ulloa. I am 23 years old, and I was diagnosed with osteosarcoma in my right proximal tibia in August of 2022, just five days before my 20th birthday. I underwent 10months of MAP chemotherapy and had a limb salvage surgery in November of 2022. I’m incredibly grateful to say that I celebrated three years NED this past May.
During treatment, my mom found MIB Agents and signed me up to receive Warrior Mail. It truly helped keep my morale up during some of the hardest times of my life and gave me something joyful to look forward to each month. After completing treatment in 2023, I applied for MIB’s Junior Advisory Board. Since joining, I’ve had the privilege of serving as President of both the 2024 and 2025 JAB boards, and I also have the privilege of co-hosting MIB’s AYA podcast, osTEAo.
FACTOR 2026 will be my third FACTOR conference and I’m beyond excited to attend again, it’s always one of the highlights of my year! This year, I’m also honored to be serving as co-chief of HQ alongside the wonderful Michelle, and I know it’s going to be such a fun and meaningful experience being in that role.
What does the HQ space mean to the children and families who attend FACTOR?
HQ gives kids and young adults a chance to be surrounded by people who truly understand firsthand the hardships that come with an osteosarcoma diagnosis. It creates a safe, welcoming space where they can unwind, have fun, and fully be themselves without needing to explain what they’ve been through.
From conversations I’ve had with families who attend FACTOR, HQ also gives parents and loved ones the opportunity to see their children smiling, laughing, connecting, and processing their experiences in ways they may not often get to witness at home. There’s something incredibly special and healing about watching kids who have carried so much weight simply get to be kids again.
What are some of your favorite activities or moments that happen in HQ?
One of my favorite traditions every year is playing the card game Spoons with all the kids and AYAs in HQ. It makes me so happy to look around the room and see everyone laughing together and fully in the moment, with our only worry being whether we’re going to grab a spoon in time at the end of the round.
It’s not often that kids and young adults who have or had cancer get the opportunity to exist in a space where, even just for a little while, we can put the weight of our diagnosis aside and simply enjoy being young, having fun, and being surrounded by people who care deeply about us. Those moments are really special.
,How has FACTOR impacted you personally over the years?
I’ve met some of my absolute best friends in the world through FACTOR. The connections I’ve made there are unlike anything else because they are rooted in deep understanding, empathy, and love for one another through such a heavy shared experience.
Every year I return to FACTOR, I find myself looking for the faces of friends who are no longer physically with us, and that can be incredibly difficult. But what’s beautiful is that I still find them everywhere. Their kindness, love, laughter, and the impact they had on every person they touched still live on so strongly within the MIB community. Being surrounded by this community reminds me that the people we love continue to exist in the ways they changed us and cared for others.
What are you most looking forward to at FACTOR 2026?
I’m most looking forward to reuniting with and hugging all of my friends who live far away. There’s truly no feeling like getting to see people you love so deeply after spending so much time apart.
I’m also really excited to meet all the new friends who will be attending FACTOR for the first time and to witness the joy, comfort, and connection the conference brings them too. Watching someone realize they’ve found a community that understands them is always incredibly special.
What would you say to a family attending FACTOR for the first time?
FACTOR is truly life-changing because the love you feel, the support you receive, and the connections you make continue long after the conference ends. It’s such a unique experience, filled with people who genuinely understand and care for one another.
My biggest advice would be to soak in every moment and take lots of pictures. I always find myself feeling nostalgic afterward, and looking back at those memories and beautiful moments with such incredible people always brings a smile to my face. We’re all so excited and grateful that you’ll be joining us for such a special conference!!
