“It was the news we didn’t want to hear,” the young woman said when speaking about the difficult medical diagnosis she received in March.
The life of Limón native Kessell Robinson Linares took an unexpected turn this year, 2026.
Many Costa Ricans widely remember Kessell from back in 2007. At just 8 years old, her mother, Hazel Linares, competed in Teletica’s hit reality show Bailando por un sueño (Dancing for a Dream). Hazel’s goal was to secure a special orthodontic treatment for Kessell, whose jawbone was growing uncontrollably.
Alongside popular TV host Mauricio Hoffmann, Hazel gave it her all on the dance floor, ultimately taking first place and winning a prize of 13 million colones. The winnings covered half the cost of multiple maxillofacial surgeries that successfully treated Kessell’s oral health issue—leaving no visible trace today.
Nineteen years after that emotional story touched the hearts of the nation, Kessell is facing a brand-new battle for her health.
The Diagnosis That Changed Her Life
At 27 years old, just as she was entering a stage to enjoy the fruits of her studies and hard work, Kessell received a devastating diagnosis: breast cancer.
The Caribbean native shared that the journey began in November 2025, when she noticed a small lump in one of her breasts. While she didn’t give it much thought initially, she eventually began to feel discomfort during exercise and dancing—two of her greatest passions.
After undergoing medical testing, results in March 2026 revealed a malignant tumor, forcing her to completely reshape her life.
💔 “It’s the News We Didn’t Want to Hear”
The news deeply shook Kessell and her entire family. She recalls gathering her loved ones to break the news personally, admitting that fear initially took over.
“I called all my relatives to gather them and tell them that yes, it was the news we didn’t want to hear. And I cried because when you are unfamiliar with the subject, you think the worst, like: ‘I’m going to die,'” she confessed.
Before the diagnosis, Kessell was ready to close a major academic chapter. Having already finished her bachelor’s degree in English Teaching, she was preparing to graduate with a law degree. Her plans to travel, take a break from studying, and enjoy life had to be paused.
“It was no longer about planning trips, but about thinking day by day—knowing that I have to go through this treatment responsibly and maintain that commitment to myself,” she said.
💪 Resilience in the Face of Adversity
Despite the grueling reality of cancer treatment, Kessell’s drive remains unstoppable. She is currently preparing for the bar exam to join the Costa Rican Bar Association (Colegio de Abogados) while simultaneously taking notary studies.
Though she is currently on medical leave to focus on her recovery, Kessell also celebrates a stable six-year career working at Amazon.
Nineteen years ago, Costa Rica rallied behind Kessell’s dream to heal. Today, that same spirit of resilience is guiding her through her toughest fight yet.
