In August 2020, 11 month old, Emma Sofia, was diagnosed with Landerhans Cell Histiocytosis. Emma Sofia is a beloved daughter, niece, god daughter & cousin of our family.  She will turn 1 years old next month while having to undergo intensive treatment to fight LCH.

This disease is currently classified as an extremely rare type of cancer that affects children and babies under one year of age. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare disorder and is estimated to affect 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. LCH is a disorder in which excess immune system cells called Langerhans cells, which help regulate the immune system, are normally found throughout the body, especially in the skin, lymph nodes, spleen, lungs, liver, and bone marrow. In Langerhans cell histiocytosis, excess immature Langerhans cells usually form tumors called granulomas. In approximately 80 percent of affected individuals, one or more granulomas develop in the bones, causing pain and swelling. 

This rare disease disrupted her life a month ago and quickly put Emma in the hospital, where she has now been for two weeks undergoing multiple surgeries and multiple chemo-therapy sessions. Emma has a high-risk histiocytosis and is multi-systematic - which means that it has already affected multiple organs such as her liver, heart, and her blood vessels.

As her family, we are asking for funds to support Emma's journey which will involve further medical treatments, surgeries, and medical studies for LCH treatments.  Emma's medical team is working intensively to help her and our family fight this disease.

Any donations given to Emma will help support her in this fight and would be a tremendous help to the family.  No gift is too small. These funds will help further Emma's life and help give her the best quality of life she deserves as she grows up.  

With gratitude,
The Beltran Acevedo Family