Patient Stories

Alicia’s Story

Alicia was first diagnosed with leukemia when she was 3 years old and living with her family in Brazil. As a child with Down syndrome, her risk of developing any type of acute leukemia was vastly higher than the general pediatric risk.

After 2 1/2 years of Alicia receiving treatment in Brazil, her oncologist explained to her parents that because she already had developed cancer once, there was a chance that leukemia could recur or return in a different form. For that reason, Alicia’s port—an under-the-skin device used in part to deliver chemotherapy—remained in her chest for a considerable time following her successful treatment.

Rosemary’s Story

At 15, Rosemary led a typical teen’s life—high school, homework, hanging out with friends—until the fall of 2019. In November, she began feeling very fatigued, and her vision was plagued with dark spots. But it was two fainting episodes—one at school—that caused her mom Keiko to take her to Boston Children’s Emergency Department on Dec. 11.

Juliet’s Story

On this fall morning, Juliet’s favorite word seems to be “no” (to be fair, she is two years old.) She’s come into The One Mission Resource Room holding dad Dennis’ hand, and she’s none too pleased about the extra adult visitors staring at her.

“May we take a picture of you?”

“No.”

“Do you want to play with this toy?”

Malia’s Story

In 2011, at the age of three, Malia was first diagnosed with stage 4, high-risk neuroblastoma. Malia endured a difficult two-year treatment regimen and had been doing well until April of 2021 when she relapsed and promptly resumed treatment. Since her relapse Malia has experienced many side effects, requiring several unplanned hospital admissions and frequent clinic visits, and is facing an uncertain prognosis.