HELP SERGIO SOTO BEAT HIS 5 YEAR BATTLE OF CANCER

This is Sergio! At 15 years old (September 2016) he was diagnosed with Myleodysplastic Syndrome (MDS, Pre Leukemia).

Myelodysplastic syndromes are a group of cancers in which immature blood cells in the bone marrow do not mature or become healthy blood cells. Almost all diagnoses of MDS are at the age of 60+, for Sergio at 15, it was extremely rare.

During the Winter of 2016, Sergio underwent Chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant from his sister. Unfortunately during his two month admission the MDS immediately relapsed and they had to do an emergency transplant from his mother. After three years of being MDS free, the MDS unfortunately came back Winter of 2019. Sergio was then admitted again December 2019-February 2020, for a “third” bone marrow transplant from his sister, again, but with special medicine that would hopefully not make him reject her stem cell.

Unfortunately just after a few months of recovery, December 2020, we learned that Sergio’s MDS relapsed again. A stem cell transplant was not an option due to his cells still recovering from the last transplant. Sergio then went through a trial chemotherapy that could at least help keep the MDS cells stable.

After 6 months of the trial medication, and a pause due to MSSA infection in his leg, we learned that in June of 2021, Sergio’s MDS had unfortunately progressed into sAML (Secondary Acute Myeloid Leukemia). In comparison to primary AML, secondary AMLs are usually considered adverse or poor risk . Sergio, admitted for this treat,ent June 31st 2021, is now 20 years old and with his five year battle companion, Izzi. He is now currently admitted undergoing a six weeks intensive chemotherapy, and will be eligible for another, last, fourth stem cell transplant. This will be Sergio’s last shot at beating this 5 year battle!

#SERGIOSTRONG