Meet Leia, a 2-year-old whose world turned upside down on March 19th when she was diagnosed with Leukemia. Her journey began in late January when she experienced her fifth ear infection within a year. Concerned, her family sought medical attention, anticipating tubes to manage her recurrent ear infections. However, due to scheduling constraints, Leia endured multiple rounds of antibiotics until her ENT appointment on March 13th.
Despite initial treatment efforts, Leia's health continued to deteriorate. Persistent fevers and petechiae on her eyelids prompted a visit to the ER, where bloodwork revealed abnormalities requiring further investigation by a hematologist. The devastating news of leukemia emerged during this evaluation, leading to a bone marrow biopsy and lumbar puncture with chemotherapy to confirm and initiate treatment. When the results came back from the biopsy, Leia's family received the shocking news that she has a very rare type of Leukemia, MPAL, that only 2-3% of people get.
The biopsy results revealed Leia's diagnosis of a very rare type of Leukemia, MPAL, adding to the emotional turmoil her family faced. With swift action, Leia was transferred to CHOP for specialized care, spending several days in the hospital before transitioning to outpatient treatment near her home in Voorhees, NJ.
In the midst of Leia's challenging journey, Fightstrong Foundation stepped in to provide essential support. Acknowledging Leia's challenges, we extended a helping hand by providing essential items such as clothes, diapers, and an iPad. These contributions were aimed at bringing comfort and assistance to Leia and her family during this tumultuous time of treatment and recovery. Our goal was to support Leia and her family in every possible way as they navigate through this difficult journey of battling leukemia.
As Leia approaches the completion of her induction phase of treatment on April 24th, her family remains hopeful for positive outcomes from the upcoming bone marrow biopsy. This critical milestone will determine the next steps in Leia's treatment plan, guiding her path toward remission and recovery.
We stand in solidarity with Leia and her family, sending love, strength, and hope as she continues her courageous fight against Leukemia. We cannot wait to see the long life you have in front of you. Keep fighting! We love you!
