Help for nikos treatments
Donation protected
Niko is such an amazing kid and he has been through so much at such a young age. He is currently undergoing monthly treatments and medical bills are piling up. Every little bit counts, so please consider donating even a small donation. The funds will go towards Niko's medical expenses. Please share this page with your friends if you're unable to donate.
Here is NIko's story:
Niko was 15 months old when he woke up one morning with sores on his mouth and bruises all over his body. When he started to throw up a little bit of blood they took him to St. Mary's Hospital. Later that night he was taken via ambulance to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. They did a cancer test by bone marrow on him and thankfully it was negative. They did discover that his platelets in his body were very low and his body was not able to clot properly. He was diagnosed with something called Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP. The Mentones took Niko back and forth to Hartford Children's Hospital for several different treatments of injections of immune globuline (IVIG) to help increase his platelet count. He underwent these injections for almost 2 years. There were some times when he would be in the hospital weekend after weekend. At first the treatments worked and would help his platelets for a couple of weeks but after a while the IVIG treatments stopped being effective to get his platelet count where it needed to be. At that time Niko was given a chemo treatment called Rituximab which helps to reduce the immune system response that's damaging the platelets, thereby raising the platelet count. Two years later he started having enlarged tonsils and glands. He went back to his hematology doctor and they did more blood work on him. He was diagnosed with low IGG and IGA levels, meaning his body has low hemoglobin antibodies to fight off infections. The Mentones have to be very careful, as any sickness could cause Niko to become ill and hospitalized. This may be a life long problem. Treatments are needed every 4 weeks.
Help spread the word!
Here is NIko's story:
Niko was 15 months old when he woke up one morning with sores on his mouth and bruises all over his body. When he started to throw up a little bit of blood they took him to St. Mary's Hospital. Later that night he was taken via ambulance to the Connecticut Children's Medical Center in Hartford. They did a cancer test by bone marrow on him and thankfully it was negative. They did discover that his platelets in his body were very low and his body was not able to clot properly. He was diagnosed with something called Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura or ITP. The Mentones took Niko back and forth to Hartford Children's Hospital for several different treatments of injections of immune globuline (IVIG) to help increase his platelet count. He underwent these injections for almost 2 years. There were some times when he would be in the hospital weekend after weekend. At first the treatments worked and would help his platelets for a couple of weeks but after a while the IVIG treatments stopped being effective to get his platelet count where it needed to be. At that time Niko was given a chemo treatment called Rituximab which helps to reduce the immune system response that's damaging the platelets, thereby raising the platelet count. Two years later he started having enlarged tonsils and glands. He went back to his hematology doctor and they did more blood work on him. He was diagnosed with low IGG and IGA levels, meaning his body has low hemoglobin antibodies to fight off infections. The Mentones have to be very careful, as any sickness could cause Niko to become ill and hospitalized. This may be a life long problem. Treatments are needed every 4 weeks.
Help spread the word!
Organizer
Cindy Mentone
Organizer
Wolcott, CT
