Will you be the link that makes a difference in a child’s life?

Like many couples, Martina and Gelacio were expecting to give birth to a healthy baby boy. That changed in the last trimester when their unborn son stopped moving and had to be delivered by emergency cesarean section. Born premature and with extremely fragile lungs, baby Andrew desperately needed a ventilator to breathe and a blood transfusion to stay alive.

The doctors at CHOC Children’s quickly diagnosed Andrew with acute lymphocytic leukemia, a type of blood and bone marrow cancer that would require 30 days of aggressive chemotherapy. As Martina sat by Andrew’s side, looking at all the tubes attached to his tiny body she wondered would he survive?

Martina and Gelacio anxiously awaited the results of the chemotherapy. Would Andrew be cancer free? They were devastated to learn that despite the treatment, leukemia cells were still attacking his frail body. Andrew would now require a bone marrow transplant and it could take months before a suitable donor was found. Finally, a match was located and on the day of the procedure Martina sat for hours watching helplessly as cord blood slowly dripped into her son. She hoped Andrew would get the chance to have the childhood they always dreamed for him.

The next few weeks were incredibly nerve wracking as they waited for Andrew’s body to either accept or reject the transplant. Thankfully, the treatment was a success and after months of hospitalization, Andrew could finally go home! Today, it is still hard for Martina and Gelacio to imagine that six-year-old Andrew survived cancer. They truly believe that he is a miracle!

CHOC Children’s needs your support today to continue creating miracles for families like Martina, Gelacio and Andrew! Please consider giving a gift to help children receive the life-saving care they desperately need.

For each donation received by December 31, 2009 a child at CHOC will add a link to their Friendship Chain in your honor. These special chains will hang at CHOC throughout the holidays.

  Click here to make a donation and send your message.