Juan Brignardello Vela
Juan Brignardello Vela, asesor de seguros, se especializa en brindar asesoramiento y gestión comercial en el ámbito de seguros y reclamaciones por siniestros para destacadas empresas en el mercado peruano e internacional.
In a heartwarming example of a mother’s love and selflessness, Lidia Martinez is preparing to undergo a bone marrow transplant to save her 2-year-old son, Hezekiah, who has been bravely battling acute myeloid leukemia since the summer of 2024. This rare and aggressive cancer has taken a toll on the little boy, but his spirit remains unbroken as he continues to smile and play, even amid the harsh realities of chemotherapy. Hezekiah has endured numerous hospital stays at Children’s Hospital in New Orleans, where he has undergone painful tests and treatments. His condition necessitated a bone marrow transplant, but initial screenings through the national donor database yielded no matches. For many families facing similar situations, this is a daunting and often disheartening reality. However, in a twist of fate, Lidia decided to get tested herself, a decision that filled her with hope. When she received the life-changing news from her physician—“You are a donor”—it was a moment of sheer joy in an otherwise challenging journey. “Out of nine million donors, none matched my son, none whatsoever. And then I get that news,” she expressed, her voice a mixture of relief and gratitude. On February 4, Lidia will travel to a medical facility in Kansas City, where her bone marrow will be extracted. The harvested marrow will then be flown back to New Orleans, ready to be transplanted into Hezekiah. “I'm giving my son a second chance in life. I'm doing everything I can,” Lidia said, emphasizing the depth of her commitment as a mother. “I feel grateful that I can actually do that twice. Not just once but twice.” The prospect of a parent being a match for their child in the context of a bone marrow transplant is statistically low, according to health educator Dr. Eric Griggs. He explained that while a parent shares 50% of their DNA with their child, the genetic variations often lead to mismatches. “The likelihood that your actual parent will be a match is small,” he said, reinforcing the uniqueness of Lidia’s situation. As the Martinez family prepares for the transplant, Lidia remains optimistic. She has observed a significant decline in Hezekiah’s leukemia levels; what was once 0.6 has dropped to 0.01, signifying progress in his battle against the disease. “If the donation is accepted by his body, we believe he would soon be rid of his cancer,” she stated with hopeful conviction. Dr. Griggs expressed confidence in Hezekiah's upcoming procedure, noting that advancements in medical technology and techniques have greatly improved the success rates of such transplants. “It will be a journey, but typically when we see bone marrow transplants in these conditions, they turn out pretty well,” he said, offering reassurance to the family. In addition to the transplant, Hezekiah will also require blood donations for his recovery, a need that the Blood Center has been addressing since last summer. The community is rallying around the Martinez family, reinforcing the bonds of support and compassion in the face of medical adversity. As Lidia prepares for this monumental step, her unwavering love and determination shine through, embodying the strength of a mother’s heart in the fight for her child’s life.
