Dominick's KLA Journey

Dominick is a 2 year old who is full of life. He loves garbage trucks, guitars, and playing basketball. On June 6, 2020 (what should have been his older sister's 5th birthday party) he was rushed into the ER because he turned blue and become unresponsive. After several tests including bone marrow, removal of lymph nodes, two blood transfusions, and having a chest tube placed to drain over 15 liters of blood and fluid from his body he was diagnosed with Kaposiform lymphangiomatosis (KLA). KLA is an extremely rare condition in which the vessels that carry lymphatic fluid throughout the body expand and interconnect. These abnormal lymphatic vessels invade and cause damage to surrounding tissue, bones and organs. Treatments for Dominick will include chemotherapy once per week (for an undetermined length of time). He will also be on several oral medications (most likely for the rest of his life). He will have thoracic duct embolization, which is a procedure to stop the flow of lymphatic fluid around organs, and possible other treatments as they become available. Despite aggressive treatment, there is no cure, and the 5-year survival rate for KLA is less than 50%. Funds will be used for treatment, possible travel to specialists, and care for himself, older sister, and parents who are navigating living at the hospital with one child and at home with the other. Any additional funds will be shared to help find a cure for KLA.