Team Alissa
Donation protected
Alissa is a 23 year old young lady that has already faced many challenges in her life with strength and courage beyond her years.
In June of 2006 while donating her hair to the Locks of Love Foundation we noticed that her eyes looked like they were floating. We contacted a neurologist who put Alissa through extensive testing. The best answer they could give us at the time was an undiagnosed brain disease. In 2007 she had another episode and was hospitalized for one week. Alissa was left with what they call 6th, 7th and 3rd nerve palsy, gait ataxia and facial difficulties. Alissa had to have her right eye taped for about two years, until surgery where Doctors put a gold weight in her eyelid. Alissa's strength, courage, and always bright outlook never wavered.
In 2010 Alissa's pain was increasing, so we went back to the doctors for more testing. This time they came to us with a diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis.
On December 23, 2010 while baking Christmas cookies, Alissa told me she didn't think she would make it to celebrate the holiday at her aunt's house because she wasn't feeling well, and was having trouble breathing. Blood drained from my body as we rushed Alissa to the emergency room. Alissa spent Christmas and New Years in the hospital undergoing extensive testing once again. At the doctors recommendation we did an open lung biopsy. On March 4, 2011 we returned for a follow up visit. There was good news and bad news. The good news: her lungs had cleared up. The bad news: Alissa has cancer. Speechless, we left the office. Alissa's reaction was "I have cancer... just another challenge. I don't want you, daddy, or anyone to cry or pity me. I am fine."
We took Alissa to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital where doctors confirmed that she has a rare form of Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma, and treatments needed to begin immediately. The months following were filled with chemotherapy and radiation. When Alissa was informed she would lose her hair, she again decided to donate it. She decided if she couldn't use it then someone else should. She embraced baldness proudly not wanting to wear a wig. After extensive treatment, Alissa was finally doing better.
She was in and out of the hospital over the next few years for checkups, and treatment for her MS and brain lesions. On August 23, 2016 we went to the doctors for her 5th year check up since diagnosis. During this visit, a scan of Alissa's lungs revealed numerous spots once again. She went in for another open lung biopsy surgery, and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Memorial Sloan Kettering exhausted all of their capabilities, but they were unable to diagnose her lung disease.
Now, her doctors are sending her to The National Institute of Health; a hospital in Washington D.C., where they will be performing more testing for an extended period of time with hopes of diagnosing her unknown lung disease.
Alissa is an incredibly strong young person. Her courage, strength, and bravery has kept us going. Alissa tells us that this is her challenge from God and that she will overcome this.
While the insurance companies have covered some of the costs over the years, there has been many expenses that are not covered. For that reason, my wife and I are starting this fund to help with our daughter's medical expenses that have built up, as well as future costs including medical bills, doctor visits, our trip to Washington D.C. to the National Institute of Health, lodging, etc. Any donations will be sincerely appreciated. We are eternally grateful for all of your love and support.
In June of 2006 while donating her hair to the Locks of Love Foundation we noticed that her eyes looked like they were floating. We contacted a neurologist who put Alissa through extensive testing. The best answer they could give us at the time was an undiagnosed brain disease. In 2007 she had another episode and was hospitalized for one week. Alissa was left with what they call 6th, 7th and 3rd nerve palsy, gait ataxia and facial difficulties. Alissa had to have her right eye taped for about two years, until surgery where Doctors put a gold weight in her eyelid. Alissa's strength, courage, and always bright outlook never wavered.
In 2010 Alissa's pain was increasing, so we went back to the doctors for more testing. This time they came to us with a diagnosis: Multiple Sclerosis.
On December 23, 2010 while baking Christmas cookies, Alissa told me she didn't think she would make it to celebrate the holiday at her aunt's house because she wasn't feeling well, and was having trouble breathing. Blood drained from my body as we rushed Alissa to the emergency room. Alissa spent Christmas and New Years in the hospital undergoing extensive testing once again. At the doctors recommendation we did an open lung biopsy. On March 4, 2011 we returned for a follow up visit. There was good news and bad news. The good news: her lungs had cleared up. The bad news: Alissa has cancer. Speechless, we left the office. Alissa's reaction was "I have cancer... just another challenge. I don't want you, daddy, or anyone to cry or pity me. I am fine."
We took Alissa to Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital where doctors confirmed that she has a rare form of Stage IV Hodgkins Lymphoma, and treatments needed to begin immediately. The months following were filled with chemotherapy and radiation. When Alissa was informed she would lose her hair, she again decided to donate it. She decided if she couldn't use it then someone else should. She embraced baldness proudly not wanting to wear a wig. After extensive treatment, Alissa was finally doing better.
She was in and out of the hospital over the next few years for checkups, and treatment for her MS and brain lesions. On August 23, 2016 we went to the doctors for her 5th year check up since diagnosis. During this visit, a scan of Alissa's lungs revealed numerous spots once again. She went in for another open lung biopsy surgery, and spent 2 weeks in the hospital. Memorial Sloan Kettering exhausted all of their capabilities, but they were unable to diagnose her lung disease.
Now, her doctors are sending her to The National Institute of Health; a hospital in Washington D.C., where they will be performing more testing for an extended period of time with hopes of diagnosing her unknown lung disease.
Alissa is an incredibly strong young person. Her courage, strength, and bravery has kept us going. Alissa tells us that this is her challenge from God and that she will overcome this.
While the insurance companies have covered some of the costs over the years, there has been many expenses that are not covered. For that reason, my wife and I are starting this fund to help with our daughter's medical expenses that have built up, as well as future costs including medical bills, doctor visits, our trip to Washington D.C. to the National Institute of Health, lodging, etc. Any donations will be sincerely appreciated. We are eternally grateful for all of your love and support.
Organizer and beneficiary
Frederick Aquino
Organizer
Staten Island, NY
Frederick Aquino
Beneficiary
