Better chances for childhood cancer in Brazil

Rebeca is only 14 years’ old, and since 2017 she has been receiving cancer treatment. Always active, her parents began to suspect something strange when Rebeca’s entire body was wracked by a pain that wouldn’t go away. In the hospital, after a blood test, came the worst news a family could receive: the little girl had Acute Lymphoid Leukemia. “It took us a while to understand what was actually happening to us”, Rebeca’s father, Levy, explains.

The disease happens when the t-cells, responsible for providing the blood components (white corpuscles that fight infection; red corpuscles that carry oxygen around the body; and platelets that prevent hemorrhaging), suffer alterations. It evolves quickly, making its essential to start the treatment as soon as possible. And it was in the GRAACC Hospital that Rebeca found the treatment she needed to find the cure. “When we discovered the GRAACC, we were certain we were in the best place to find our daughter’s cure”, says her father, overcome with emotion.

After chemotherapy sessions, Rebeca needed a bone marrow transplant. To the family’s surprise and joy, Lucas, the youngest brother, was 100% compatible with his sister and became the donor of the marrow. “I was happy to be able to help cure my sister. Now, we literally have the same blood. We’ll be event more united”, says Lucas.

In June, Rebeca received her brother’s bone marrow and is recovering from the transplant. The entire family is very happy that everything went well, and is preparing to return to their native city very soon. “I am missing my friends, my school and my boyfriend. I can’t wait to get home”, says the little girl.

When you donate to the GRAACC Hospital, you help families like Rebeca’s be certain that they are affording their children every chance to cure child cancer.