Beloved high school counselor fights cancer and receives support from Arbuckle

Apr. 30—A beloved long-time counselor for Pierce High School in Arbuckle, Perla Duarte Rabena, is battling breast cancer with community support. Rabena is currently undergoing chemo, and she said that she has had cancer for the past year and she feels privileged to be a part of the Arbuckle community.

"When somebody is in need, everybody comes together. It's like a big family, Arbuckle always steps up whenever there's a need, and I think that's super special. You don't find that in many places," Rabena said. "(With the school) everybody from my principal, the superintendent, the board and the parents have been so supportive during this journey."

She said that her school has treated her with a lot of compassion and understanding, and they have shown flexibility with her schedule as she juggles appointments for her health.