09/17/2025
🎗️ Warrior Wednesday 🎗️
After two months of off and on infections, fevers, and fatigue, 6-year-old Diego’s blood test results sent this once energetic boy to Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital, where he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, a rare blood disorder requiring aggressive treatment that included a bone marrow transplant. Without a sibling and unable to identify a fully matched donor in the National Marrow Donor Program, Diego’s parents were tested to see if either of them would be a suitable donor. Fortunately, a clinical trial was available at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital that uses certain stem cells from Diego’s mother to replace the mutated cells in his marrow, steering the course towards fighting this potentially lethal form of childhood leukemia.
Almost 3 months after the date of diagnosis, Diego received the infusion of life-saving cells from his mother. Nineteen days later, signs of successful engraftment meant that the stem cells had found their home in Diego’s bone marrow space and were beginning to function! Inspired by his favorite superhero, Spiderman, and encouraged by his nurses, doctors, child life specialists, psychologist, and of course friends and family during the next two and a half months, Diego bravely fought off complications while still celebrating his birthday and holidays and finally was cleared to leave the hospital.
It was a joyous “Red Carpet Celebration” when 7-year-old Diego skipped down the hall past cheering staff members on his way home. Diego’s smiling face and his family’s tears of joy were the perfect gifts to everyone who was there to witness another special day in Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital!
