Emiliano
Age 8
Arkansas Children's Hospital
Bone Marrow Disease
Pushing harder and harder on the pedals, 4-year-old Emiliano builds up to rocket speed on his tricycle. With his parents chasing close behind to keep his pump attached, Emiliano doesn’t let a crucial surgery stop him from having fun in the halls of his hospital.
It was during this time that Emiliano was diagnosed with severe aplastic anemia, a bone marrow disease that affects only two in every one million people. As a result, Emiliano’s body struggled to fight infections and internal bleeding. After his body rejected standard medications and his first bone marrow transplant, Emiliano found hope in his second donor and hero – his dad.
Praised for his bravery by doctors and nurses, Emiliano continues to stand out. He has even launched an awareness campaign in his parent’s native country of Mexico to educate on the dire need for marrow donations. Four years later, Emiliano is still riding forward in life singing, watching movies with his family, folding origami and playing guitar.
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