Support Our Little Champ's Medical Journey

Our little champ is sick. Really sick.

This story is very difficult to write, and to be honest, it feels like an awful nightmare that we just can't wake up from. How could this happen to such a vivacious little boy who loves Mirabel from Encanto, is always chasing after his siblings, and can destroy two slices of pizza in a matter of minutes!

Arturo, or Arti for short, is one of four beautiful kids Patrick and I parent. He's our little champ, built like a little linebacker, who loves to cuddle and throw kisses!

In the last few days, we've noticed that our little champ was not the same. He became more and more lethargic, lost his appetite, was incredibly pale, and had bruising up and down his legs. As concerned parents, we decided to take our little guy to the pediatric emergency room for evaluation.

After a number of test, we were informed that our little guy, our little champion was really sick. We were transported to Phoenix Children's Hospital via ambulance--which Arti found very exciting-- and to our dismay, admitted. After a number of tests, IVs, tears, meltdowns, bone marrow biopsy, and spinal tap, the doctors confirmed our worst possible scenario; our little campeon was diagnosed with leukemia.

I'm sure you've experienced some type of awful, gut-wrenching news before. The kind that creates a knot the size of Dubai in your stomach and makes your knees buckle. It's such an awful feeling that, in the moment, doesn't feel real, almost like a really bad dream; an awful nightmare.

As we continue to process our new reality and continue cheering on our little champ during his extensive chemo treatments, we are beginning to comprehend how costly this journey will be. Arti received a number of blood and plasma transfusions which were necessary to restore his health, and has also begun his chemo regiment. As you would imagine, these treatments are costly. We have good insurance, but have already begun to receive medical bills--this is the unfortunate reality we're in.

We do want to take a moment to thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers, and also the amazing treatment and care provided by the Phoenix Children’s Hospital staff. Arti is responding very well to the treatments and chemo, and we’re optimistic and very hopeful that our little champ will win this fight!

Please continue sending your thoughts and prayers our way, we need them and believe in them, and if you so wish to donate to our fund to alleviate a bit of our financial burden, we would appreciate that as well.

Thank you for the support and love you have shared. We appreciate you and are grateful for you. Please continue to believe in our little fighter. In the words of Chumbawamba, "...I get knocked down, but I get up again; you're never gonna keep me down.."

Cheers to our little champ. Arti, you may get knocked down, but we have seen you get up again. Keep fighting little guy!

Joanna and Patrick

***UPDATE***

Arti is responding really well to the chemo!! We finally left the hospital after 8 days, and will now begin daily chemo treatments at home, and weekly chemo treatments in clinic.

please continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate you!!