Meet Manny – Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

by | Mar 14, 2018 | ALL, Fighter Sessions

Manny is an old soul. He is very passionate about advocating for anything related to childhood cancer awareness. He loves to do everything. He loves school, games, time with family and friends, sports… He LOVES LIFE and finds all kinds of ways to enjoy it. He has bought joy and laughter to so many.

He was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on October 4th, 2011 after being pale, having fatigue, and bruising easily. His treatments consisted of three and a half years of iv chemo and oral meds every single day for 3 and a half years. He has had 26 lumbar punctures with methotrexate, numerous blood transfusions, picc placement and removal, port placement and removal (two times).

Manny has had a few complications like having to learn to walk again two months into treatment due to an almost deadly leg infection. Can’t do many activities that require walking or running for long. Has severe pain and limps if he does activities that makes it worse. He has a fracture in both feet, therefore had to give up soccer and karate.

His cancer diagnosis forever changed our outlook on life and how fortunate we are to still have him around. Manny has heard of a handful of his friends that have relapsed or have unfortunately lost their lives. The entire experience itself has changed how he views life as well, we’ll say, he has become an adult in a little boy’s body. He and we are very aware of how lucky we are that he has been off of treatment for almost 3 years and thankfully continues to do well.
We as a family have become cancer advocates, engaging in many activities to raise awareness. Manny has embraced this as a mission of his from very young. We do awareness projects with Northwestern Mutual and he was recently chosen as Boy of the Year for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Our family has grown and changed in so many ways that it is hard to explain; other than we saw the good, the bad and the ugly in one another during 3 and a half years. It has strengthened each one of us in a way of its own.

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