How 1 Inspiring Teen With Cancer Joined the Women's March From the Hospital

The Women's March demonstrated, among many things, that women are resilient and always have been. Story after story has proven how women will not back down when challenged by a president who has already started attacking their rights. Allie Oetken's story is emblematic of that grit, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable setbacks. Despite battling a rare form of cancer, Oetken was determined to join the March — and she did it in her own way.

Oetken, 19, was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma two years ago. Since her diagnosis, Oetken has battled the rare pediatric bone cancer with chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Though her scans were clear up until April of 2016, Oetken's doctors discovered another tumor on her skull in the last few weeks; she was readmitted to the hospital for treatment.

The discovery of another tumor meant that Oetken could not participate in the Women's March in California as she had planned. But on the day of the march, Oetken and other patients held their own impromptu Women's March through the halls of the City of Hope Hospital in Los Angeles, where she is currently receiving treatment.

Oetken told POPSUGAR via email she was originally "bummed" that she would not be able to march. "I was stuck in the hospital dealing with pain management for my tumor while we did some more testing," she said.

But on the day of the protest, Oetken said she heard another patient chanting and immediately insisted on joining. "I was laying in my hospital room upset," she said. "I heard another patient and her sister marching to the halls of our hospital wing chanting things along the lines of 'freedom for all' and was very excited that I would be able to take part in it."

couldn't make it the LA march today so we had to do our own protest around the hospital (only got 1 floor– we tried tho) #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/AsPIuHVd6K

— allie oetken (@allieoets) January 21, 2017

Grabbing her IV pole and fashioning a protest poster, Oetken and a couple of other patients marched through her floor with some nurses. When she shared pictures of their march on Twitter, Oetken received an outpouring of support and admiration.

What's so powerful about Oetken's story is her determination to protest the "gross rhetoric" and "direction of the new administration." She said President Trump's pledge to dismantle the Affordable Care Act hits especially close to home. "I know plenty of people who will be affected by the repeal of the ACA, particularly cancer patients and those with preexisting conditions that will be struggling in the absence of a strong plan for health care," she said.

It's not just about women, she said, and neither were the Women's Marches across the country — the movement was about uniting all people whom Trump marginalized during the campaign. "The concept and basic human right that women and people have a choice in what they (not the government!) do with their body is a notion I will always stand by," Oetken said.

"It was of utmost importance for me to show, obviously, a sense of sisterhood with the other patients who 'marched' with me," she continued, "but women all over . . . including colored women, trans women, disabled women, queer women, you name it. The intersectionality of the movement was paramount for me."

Oetken's commitment to "fair and equal treatment" for everyone is just as inspiring as her commitment to march. "Marching, even despite my health struggles, was a statement toward all these women," Oetken declared. "I see you; you are valid and deserve to be treated with respect and equality, not only under the law but in society as well."

If you are interested in donating to Allie's pediatric bone cancer fund, please visit her Go Fund Me page.