CHICAGO — A 5-year-old boy who is battling leukemia for the second time will receive a transplant from Germany.
Lucas Cervone, of Belmont Cragin, was first diagnosed with a form of leukemia in 2012, his father, Anthony Cervone, said. Lucas underwent chemotherapy, taking his last pill on June 21, 2015.
Just weeks later, the boy — nicknamed "Lucas Bear" — started to bruise, Anthony said. By July 20, he was diagnosed with a different form of leukemia that would require a bone marrow transplant to cure.
After months of looking for a donor, the Cervones learned last week that a match for Lucas has been found — in Germany.
"Both my wife and I were definitely relieved that we have a chance to save our son’s life," Anthony said. "At this point, this is really the only way to have the best shot at saving his life."
WE HAVE A DONOR!!!!!!! What more can we say?!?! Blessed, grateful, overwhelmed that someone has been found to help...
Posted by Lucas Bear Heroes on Monday, October 19, 2015
The Cervones don't know much about the donor, but they know he's a man and he's not necessarily German (it's likely he's Hispanic and white like Lucas, Anthony said). And they know the donor has opted to give Lucas a bone marrow donation from his hip bone instead of a peripheral donation. That will be "definitely a lot more painful" for the donor but better for Lucas, Anthony said.
"We're very grateful for whoever this person is," Anthony said. "Phew, I could tell you, it was excitement, knowing about it, finding out that there was a donor. We were concerned."
Sometime you just have to share the silliness! !!!
Posted by Lucas Bear Heroes on Wednesday, October 21, 2015
Lucas will start four days of radiation aimed at his brain on Wednesday. Next week, he'll undergo another four days of radiation, this time aimed at his entire body. He'll start chemotherapy on Nov. 6 and the transplant will take place on Nov. 11.
That will be "Day Zero," Anthony said. After that will come more treatment and tests. The family — Lucas, Anthony, mom Rina and Lucas' brother Franco — will be able to celebrate Halloween, but they expect to be in the hospital for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
About 100 days after "Day Zero," Lucas should be able to start going back to "normal" life, Anthony said.
"We start from there," Anthony said. "We're going to keep our fingers crossed. We're going to keep praying and hoping for the best out of all of this."
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