Mia’s world changed so quickly. What started as an exciting year has turned into months of hospital stays, tests, and answers no parent ever imagines hearing. I’m sharing our story not only to get the support we need, but also to spread awareness about aplastic anemia.

Back in March 2025, Mia had routine bloodwork done and everything came back completely normal. She was healthy, playful, and living life like any other little girl. Then, suddenly, everything changed. In August 2025, I noticed tiny red dots on her skin (petechiae) and bruises on her legs that didn’t make sense. I trusted my gut and took her to her pediatrician. Someone we truly respect and who listened and took our concerns seriously. Our pediatrician ran the same bloodwork Mia had in March, and the results were terrifying. All of Mia’s blood counts were low: red cells, white cells, and platelets. Our doctor told us to take her straight to Valley Children’s as she could bleed internally at any moment.

As soon as we arrived, Mia was admitted immediately. Everything happened quickly, more labs, more tests, and then a bone marrow biopsy. That’s when we learned that Mia has aplastic anemia, a rare condition where the bone marrow stops making enough blood cells. Doctors believe her aplastic anemia was triggered by parvovirus B19, a common childhood virus that usually only causes a mild rash or cold. Most kids recover quickly without even knowing they had it. But in very rare cases, it attacks the bone marrow and stops it from working. That’s what happened to Mia.

This diagnosis has taken so much from Mia.
 She had to be pulled out of preschool and instead of being able to run, jump, and play like a typical 3 year old, she has to avoid anything that could cause bleeding, bruising, or infections. The simplest activities like going to the playgrounds, playdates, even being around other children aren’t safe for her right now because her immune system can’t protect her.

And yet, through all this Mia remains herself. 
She is funny, always making jokes. She is loving, full of snuggles and sweetness even on the hardest days. She loves watching UFC, and often pretends to be on the fight card. She adores Bluey and Peppa Pig and she has the biggest heart for cats.

Big sister Elenie, our superhero will be donating some of her bone marrow to help save Mia’s life.

Mia will be admitted to Lucile Packard Children's Hospital Stanford to start her chemotherapy for her bone marrow transplant. We will be spending 8 weeks in the hospital and then 3 months in the area so she can stay close to her doctors while she recovers.

Because I need to be with Mia full-time, I’m unable to work right now. Between travel, temporary housing, meals, and keeping up with our regular bills, the financial strain is becoming more than we can handle alone.

It’s not easy to ask for help, but any support whether it’s a donation, a share, or simply sending prayers and love to Mia means more than we can ever express. Your support allows us to focus on what truly matters, being by Mia’s side every step of the way.

Thank you for loving our girl, for supporting us, and for standing with us during the hardest time of our lives.