At nineteen months old, Victor’s parents were planning on taking a family vacation. As a precaution, they took their baby to the pediatrician before leaving on their trip. His parents had no worries, as Victor had never been sick in the past. He had only suffered from common ear infections and anemia.
After receiving the results of the blood test, the pediatrician recommended they cancel their trip, as his hemoglobin levels were very low. Victor was referred to a specialist who ordered more exams, but the results were devastating. Victor had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, the most common form of childhood cancer.
“When you hear that, it is the last thing you could imagine. Your world crumbles and the first thing you think of is God, please don’t take my child away,” recalls Maria, Victor’s mother.
Doctors referred Victor to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee since the treatments he required did not exist in Miami. “In the past we had participated in campaigns to help St. Jude, but we never thought we would need their help in return,” said Maria.
Victor’s treatment will last two and a half years, and will consist of several chemotherapy treatments, medications and routine medical exams to monitor his progress.
Thanks to your generosity of our donors, the Barreda family will not have to worry about any expenses during his treatment.
Created by St Jude Patients