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WHEN A TODDLER’S CANCER DIAGNOSIS LAUNCHED A FAMILY INTO CHAOS, MIRACLES FOR KIDS STEPPED IN

By Amy Senk

The first thing that saved Leonel and his family was the doctor who told them, “Get back to the United States for treatment – it’s your son’s best chance for survival.” The second thing that saved them was connecting with the Miracles for Kids organization.

Leonel was 10 months old when his family was traveling in Guadalajara, Mexico. During that trip, the normally calm and chubby baby began to cry a lot and stopped sleeping through the night. “He was looking very pale, with a lot of red dots on his skin, bruises all over his body,” his mother, Ana, said.

Ana was petrified that she was away from home – and that her son may not survive. “The doctor told us that if we had the possibility to go back to the U.S. to not think twice and do it,” she said. “I will forever be grateful to this doctor that helped us save my child’s life.”

Ultimately, Leonel was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. “I thought he will inevitably die, and I was in a shock,” Ana said. “Our oldest daughter, Diana, was very sad for her baby brother and would ask, ‘Mommy, is he going to die?’”

Back home, Leonel was hospitalized for four months and began intensive chemotherapy. Ana stayed by his side the entire time. Brother Oliver, 5, began acting out. Diana became fearful and nervous. Her family was struggling to make ends meet and were living in a converted garage. Then a hospital social worker connected them with Miracles for Kids.

The organization, which helps hundreds of families with children with life-threatening illnesses, immediately stepped in to help. A monthly Bill Pay program covered insurance, food and other necessities. They moved into Miracle Manor, a housing program for families at risk for homelessness, which is near CHOC Children’s hospital in Orange, where Leonel receives treatment. “They offered us a beautiful three-bedroom apartment at Miracle Manor, where they cover our utility bills, internet, laundry, and even give us food and therapy,” Ana said. “They also give us cooked meals, fruits and vegetables and a box every month with items that our family really needs like PPE, toilet paper, toiletries, and cleaning supplies. Apart from all that, they also have given us Christmas presents when we couldn’t afford to do that for our children.”

While the family now has a place to call home, COVID-19 has caused some stress. Just one parent can be with Leonel in the hospital, which means his father, Luis, needs to stay home with the other kids and miss work so they can attend school virtually. On top of this, Leonel’s treatments are painful and he’s had several surgeries. He was in remission for nine months – but the cancer returned. Now, at age two, he is waiting for a bone marrow transplant. But Leonel is a fighter, Diana says, describing him as an active boy who loves cars and dogs and running around and eating rice.

Miracles for Kids Co-Founder & CEO Autumn Strier said that easing some of the financial and logistical worries that families face can help a child relax and, as a result, respond better to treatment. “They can feel it,” she said. “When there’s food on the table, when there are smiles, that just resonates throughout the home. It’s incredible.”

Ana agreed. “They counter-attack sadness and help families when they are at the worst moment,” she said. “Miracles for Kids has brought hope to our family in very critical times.”

www.miraclesforkids.org